Friday Foodie Fix
Today’s Secret Ingredient for Friday Foodie Fix is coffee. People either love it or hate it. I’ve never been a fan but my college age son says I should really give it a try and can be used in so many recipes.
So this summer on vacation we went to Blue Bottle Coffee in San Francisco. I had him with me and thought I would try my first cup of coffee. It was mixed with chocolate and I’m sure that has a name. I thought the combo might be something I liked. They did a great job of making sure it was gluten and dairy free but I still didn’t like it. His next suggestion is to start with a latte and gradually add in the coffee. Maybe I’ll give this a try on my next visit to Blue Bottle.
Writing about coffee today I went to my tried and true Deluxe Food Lover’s Companion and they have a lot of information on the subject. They tell you where it is thought to have originated, Ethiopia, all about the different types of beans and how they go from bean to your cup. They also suggest storing whole roasted beans in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks and for long storage the freezer up to 3 months. I guess that bag I’ve had in the freezer since last Christmas should go to the garden.
They (Food Lover’s Companion) also share how to make the perfect-tasting cup of coffee. I didn’t know that you have to start with an absolutely clean coffee pot and filter. The residual coffee oils from previous brews can make the current batch a bitter or rancid flavor. I guess if I’m making pot after pot in a row it needs more than a good rinsing. Check out their book for more of those great tips.
So I don’t drink or cook with coffee but I know a lot of you do. So I am hoping you will share some great ideas of both food and drink that uses coffee so I’ll have more options to try as I continue my search for coffee I like.
I'm reading this as I have my one cup of organic breakfast blend with light coconut milk. Yum! I've had a post about coffee in the works for months, I've just never finished it. You've inspired me to do that. Funny, I am not one of those nutritionists who thinks coffee is evil, but drinking it to jump-start your body several times a day isn't healthy. And if you don't like it to begin with, skip it and drink green tea instead (like you do). That's probably better anyway. =)
Melissa
I think I'm sticking with the green and black tea! Thanks for the
vote of confidence Melissa. I needed that today.
Jenn
Me too. I hope there will be both food and drink ideas.
Diane
Hi Diane – as a hopeless coffee addict (Starbucks Verona) – I was glad to see this as your Foodie Fix. I think no matter what coffee you pick… use a coffee press – it makes all the difference in the world! 🙂
I love coffee, however I drink decaf now because caffeine and fibromyalgia don't mix very well. But I put a strong brew in my chocolate cupcakes, brings out the chocolate flavor so much more. I'm a sucker for Dunkin Doughnuts because I grew up back east but for I also love green mountain coffee company…soooo good.
Your Friday Foodie Fix inspired me to adapt one of Iris' recipes in my Adopt a GF Blogger post and makes some killer waffles: Coconut Coffee Cinnamon Peanut Butter Waffles. Heaven in a rectangular form on one's plate. ;-)As I said in my post, I don't drink coffee, but I like using it as a flavoring. Now you've inspired me to try another recipe soon. I'll share it when I post. 🙂
Shirley
Those sound really good. Thank you for sharing.