Good food, cozy vibes

Good food, cozy vibes 🌿☕️ A perfect spread on wooden dining table: hot coffee, melty grilled cheese, savory dumplings with fresh garnishes, and a loaded burrito with all the fixings. Who's ready to dig in?

Pezula Hotel, Knysna, South Africa

Bungalow (cottage) in the hotel

The hotel has bungalows (cottage). 

• Each Bungalow consists of four rooms
  Two rooms on ground level  and two rooms on first floor level
  
• Apart from regular amenities, it has a kitchenette, which includes dishes, cutlery, oven , coffee machine

Fire place in the room

Coffee maker: Cuisinart Model DGB-1

Coffee maker: Cuisinart Model DGB-1

Single cup grind and brew coffeemaker

On father's day, my daughter gifted me a cuisinart coffee maker. She told me "I have bought it from Costco, so if you don't like it, you know where to return ". I said "Understood, dear".
I am used to making pour over coffee. I grind the coffee beans, boil the water in a kettle and pour boiling water over the ground beans. 

So I tried my new father's day gift and I observed the following: 
1) Water temperature 140° degrees Fahrenheit, that's a good temperature to extract coffee from the beans. 
(However, I would have preferred water temperature to be around 190° degrees Fahrenheit).

2) The coffee beans are ground and via centrifugal force they are sprayed into the coffee filter through a small rectangular chamber.

3) Hot water enters through a hole and wet most of the beans, unlike some espresso machines which wet only part of the beans. Whereby the wet part is over extracted and the other part of coffee beans are not extracted at all. This way  cuisinart coffee maker requires less coffee beans. 

But here's the problem:
• Whenever you make coffee, some coffee gets clogged in the rectangular chamber. 

Bean chamber clean

So this is what happens: 
• 1st cup of coffee, "aah, highway to heaven "
• 2nd cup of coffee "this is great coffee, thanks to my daughter "
• 3rd cup, suddenly the coffee becomes milder. 
• By the 5th cup, its like I am drinking  only hot water . Where did all the coffee disappear ? it made all the sound of grinding coffee!

• To solve the mystery, I began operation beanstar and I opened the chambers and discovered that the rectangular chamber was completely clogged and so no coffee powder was passing through. 

Bean chamber clogged

• So I cleaned the rectangular chamber, the grinder etc. Now I do this after every 5 cups of coffee. If i forget, then I end up drinking hot water.

On Sunday my coffee is recreational, as opposed to weekdays when it is medicinal.

On Sunday my coffee is recreational, as opposed to weekdays when it is medicinal.

Coffee on the wall

Coffee on wall :---

I sat with my friend in a well-known coffee shop in a neighboring town of Venice (Italy), the city of lights and water.

As we enjoyed our coffee, a man entered and sat at an empty table beside us.

He called the waiter and placed his order saying,

‘Two cups of coffee, one of them there on the wall.’

We heard this order with rather interest and observed that he was served with one cup of coffee but he paid for two.

As soon as he left, the waiter pasted a piece of paper on the wall saying
‘A Cup of Coffee’.

While we were still there, two other men entered and ordered three cups of coffee, two on the table and one on the wall.

They had the two cups of coffee but paid for three and left.

This time also, the waiter did the same;

he pasted a piece of paper on the wall saying, ‘A Cup of Coffee’.

It was something unique and perplexing for us.

We finished our coffee, paid the bill and left.

After a few days, we had a chance to go to this coffee shop again.

While we were enjoying our coffee, a man poorly dressed entered.

As he seated himself, he looked at the wall and said, 'One cup of coffee from the wall'.

The waiter served coffee to this man with the customary respect and dignity.

The man had his coffee and left without paying.

We were amazed to watch all this, as the waiter took off a piece of paper from the wall and threw it in the dust bin.

Now it was no surprise for us – the matter was very clear.

The great respect for the needy shown by the inhabitants of this town made our eyes well up in tears.

Ponder upon the need of what this man wanted...

He enters the coffee shop without having to lower his self-esteem…

he has no need to ask for a free cup of coffee…

without asking or knowing about the one who is giving this cup of coffee to him.

He only looked at the wall, placed an order for himself, enjoyed his coffee and left.

... probably the most beautiful wall you may ever see anywhere....!!!

Consumer Reports ratings on coffee makers

The most recent edition of Consumer Reports rates a number of popular coffee makers. One of the criteria is the ability of the coffeemaker to brew coffee at 200F.Consumer Reports rated the following coffeemarkers as excellent in brewing coffee at 200F:

• Cusinart Brew Central
• Michael Graves 40304
• Oster Counterforms 4281
• Zojirushi Fresh Brew
• Krups Coffee Machine
• Kitchen Aid Pro Line KPCM050MNP
• Mr. Coffee JWX27
• Hamilton Beach Day or Go 45237

Ignore History, 'BC' stands for Before Coffee

Ignore History, 'BC' stands for Before Coffee

Turkish Coffee

Turkish Coffee:

1 cup cold water	1 tablespoon superfine coffee
Sugar to taste	Cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg (if desired)

Turkish coffee is prepared in an Ibrik, Cezve (in Turkish) or Briki, which is a small coffee pot with a long handle. Sugar is added during the brewing process, not after whereby it mixes well and becomes a solution.  The coffee is served in a small cup and saucer. The finished coffee has a thick layer of coffee at the bottom.

Saucepan

• Boil the water (add sugar if needed) in a ibrik  or a saucepan at medium heat.
• As soon as the solution boils, remove from heat, add 1 tablespoon superfine coffee. Return saucepan to heat and allow to come to a boil
• As soon as coffee foams, remove from heat.
• As soon as the foam settles, return to heat again, allowing to foam and remove from heat.
• Pour into cup, and allow the brew to sit for a few minutes whereby, the coffee grounds to settle at the bottom of the cup.
• Add Cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg (if desired).

Turkish Coffee Tips

  Turkish coffee must always be served with foam on top.

  If you can't find finely ground Arabic coffee, you can purchase a bag of coffee at any coffee shop or grocery store and ask them to grind it for Turkish coffee. The consistency should be powder-like.

  Do not stir the coffee after pouring into cups; the foam will collapse.

Serves : 2

New Orleans coffee

New Orleans coffee is available in most super markets, grocery stores and Vietnamese markets.

8 eggs (separate yolk & egg white)	¾ cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup superfine sugar	¾ cup Bourbon
¾ cup New Orleans style coffee	Freshly grated nutmeg

• Combine egg yolks in a large bowl and beat it until thick & pale yellow. Add sugar as you beat
• Mix coffee and 1/3 cup cream
• Add Bourbon and let it remain for about 30 minutes.
• Beat the egg whites in a bowl until stiff
• In a separate bowl, whip the remaining heavy cream until soft
• Alternately fold the egg whites and whipped cream into the coffee mixture.
• Pour into glasses and garnish it with nutmeg

Serves 8 people.

Recipe of Fruity Coffee

Ingredients:                                         Makes 5 servings

3 cups freshly brewed hot coffee	4 whole cloves
½ cup orange juice	¼ cup brown sugar

• Stir the hot coffee, sugar and cloves in a heat proof container until the sugar dissolves.
• After about 7 minutes, strain the cloves out.
• Mix the orange juice to the mixture
• Recipe book

Spiced Orange Coffee

Spiced Orange Coffee

1 tablespoon grated Orange peel	Brown sugar to taste
½ cup Ground coffee	6 cups cold water
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon	Garnish: Cinnamon sticks & orange slice

• Place the coffee, orange peel and ground cinnamon in the filter in the brew basket of the coffee maker and make coffee.
• When the coffee is brewed, add milk and sugar to taste and stir.
• Pour into 8 coffee mugs and garnish it with cinnamon stick and orange slice.
• Servings: 8 

Recipe for Tiramisu Coffee 2004 signature drink of the year in Italy

Tiramisu  Coffee

2 ½ cup marsala syrup (or Sherry)	2 egg yolks
1 cup sugar	4 ounces mascarpone cheese
1 teaspoon confectioners sugar	2 tablespoon whole milk
4 tablespoons finely ground coffee (30 g)	1 ounce grated dark chocolate

Recipe for Marsala syrup:

• Mix one cup sugar and marsala in a saucepan and at medium heat, boil it. Thereafter lower the heat to simmer for about 40 minutes, until all the alcohol and most of the liquid has evaporated and what remains is thick syrup. Remove from heat and let it cool.
• Mix the egg yolks, confectioners sugar, and 2 tablespoons of marsala syrup in a bowl  and beat it with a egg beater to make it fluffy.
• Add whole milk to mascarpone.
• Add the diluted mascarpone mixture to the egg mixture and continue whisking until fluffy. Transfer the mixture to a pitcher.
• Make about 4 cups of espresso coffee
• Pour the coffee in 4 martini glasses.
• Gently pour mascarpone and egg mixture into each of the martin glass equally.
• Garnish with grated chocolate.

The Tiramisu coffee recipeis developed by Tim Wendelboe and Morten Wennersgaard of Norwegian Barista. In2004 World Barista championship, this drink was honored as WBC signature drinkof the year.

Maharajah Coffee for diabetic patients

Maharajah Coffee :

2 cups coffee    1/2 tablespoon sweet and low
½ cup brandy    1/10 chilled champagne

•    Mix coffee, sweet and low and brandy in a large pitcher and chill.
•    Pour the champagne in a bowl and mix the chilled coffee mixture
•    Serve in Champagne flutes

Recipe for Tiramisu cake

Ingredients:
5 large eggs 1 cup black coffee
1 3/8 cup superfine sugar 4 tablespoons brandy
1 cup all purpose flour 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
2 cups mascarpone cream cheese 1 ¼ cup whipping cream lightly whipped
5 drops of vanilla extract chocolate dust for decoration

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Grease and arrange 2 (13 X 9 inches) jelly roll pans with parchment paper
• Mix eggs and ¾ cup sugar and Whisk for 5 minutes until Pale, thick and creamy.
• Sift the flour and add 2 tablespoons of hot water.
• Fold in with a spatula and divide the batter between 2 pans
• Bake for 20 minutes until golden and firm. Let it cool for about 10 minutes.
• Grease an 8 inch round spring form cake pan.
• Mix the cheese, vanilla and remaining sugar. Cover it and refrigerate it.
• Mix the coffee and brandy and set it aside
• Using the cake pan as a stencil, cut out 1 whole circle and 2 half circles from each sponge
• Place the full circle sponge in the bottom of the pan.
• Spread 1/3 of the coffee and brandy mixture on it.
• Spread ½ of the cheese mixture also on it.
• Place the 2 half circle on top and spread the ½ of the balance coffee and the remaining cheese mixture                on it.
• Top with the remaining sponge circle and spread over the remaining coffee.
• Cover and refrigerate for about 2 hours.
• Remove from the pan.
• Dust with cocoa and decorate with whipped cream and chocolate dust.

Recipe for Chocolate Macarons

Recipe for Chocolate Macarons

Ingredients:

Ganache
4 oz dark chocolate around 70% cocoa finely chopped
Half cup heavy cream

Macarons
1.1/3 cup powdered sugar (around 150 grams)
1 cup almonds
½ cup natural cocoa powder (about 45 gms)
3 egg whites
¾ cup granulated sugar (about 150 grams)
¼ cup water
Making Ganache:
•    Transfer the chocolate in medium bowl.
•    Put the cream in a saucepan and heat it till it bubbles around the edges (around 180°F, 82°C)
•    Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and mix it until the chocolate melts.
•    Transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor and blend it until smooth. Alternatively, heat some water in a metal bowl until the water simmers. Transfer the mixture and whisk it until smooth.
•    Set aside the shiny ganache and let it cool for about 2 hours at room temperature. This way the ganache’s soft texture will be spreadable like butter.



Making Macarons:
•    In a blender or food processor, mix almonds, powdered sugar and cocoa and blend them for about 5 minutes to powder. Make sure the almonds also are small granules or powder.
•    Transfer the mixture in a large bowl.
•    Put 2 egg whites in the bowl and whisk it with a stand alone mixer for about 2 minutes. Thereafter raise the speed and whisk it till the firm peaks form.
•    While egg whites are being whisked, combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, occasionally stirring the solution. Once the sugar dissolves in water, cook without stirring until the syrup reaches 238°F (114°C), about 5 minutes.
•    Add the sugar solution syrup to the mixture in the blender, spreading the syrup evenly all around the mixture. Aim to pour the syrup into the gaps between the mixture bowl and the whisk; the splatter of hot sugar solution onto the rotating whisk will result in stringy particles in macaron batter.
•    Increase the whisking speed to high and whip until stiff, shiny peaks form and the mixture holds its shape at the end of the whisk. (About 5 minutes).
•    Pour the remaining egg white over the almond mixture, then top with egg white mixture. With a spatula mix the whipped mixture with the almond mixture thoroughly, whereby the mixture is dark, shiny and no dry lumps. This is very important because it is easy to undermix or overmix the batter.
•    Fit a pastry bag with ½ inch tip. Fill the pastry bag halfway with the batter.
•    Line 2 heavy baking sheets with parchment paper.
•    Position the piping tip about ¼ inch above the baking sheet and with a steady hand, pipe batter in a circle of one inch diameter and about ¼ inch thick. Release pressure on the bag and make a quick circular motion. Continue piping circles with the batter about one inch apart until the tray is filled. Continue piping  until all the batter is finished.
•    Pre-heat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
•    Bake one tray at a time for about 10 minutes. Let the pan cool for about ½ hour before removing.


Macaron assembly:
•    Pair macarons of matching sizes. Using a pastry bag, pipe about 1 teaspoon of cooled chocolate ganache onto the bottom of one cookie. Set the 2nd cookie of the matched pair on top of the ganache.
•    Gently press together to evenly distribute the ganache.

Recipe for Coffee Martini

Recipe for Coffee Martini

INGREDIENTS

1.5 fluid ounces (45ml) Vodka

1 fluid ounce (30 ml) Coffee liqueur

1 shot of coffee (preferably espresso)

  

• Make your favorite coffee
• Pour the liquors and coffee into a mixing glass with ice.
• Shake well, then strain into a large cocktail glass

Recipe for Gingerbread Coffee

 ingerbread coffee

INGREDIENTS
  
    * 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
    * 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    * 
    * 2 cups hot brewed coffee
    *1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
   
DIRECTIONS


1. In a small bowl, mix together ginger and cinnamon until well blended.
  
2. Add about a 1/4 cup of coffee to each cup, then stir in about a tablespoon of the spice mixture until dissolved. Fill cup to within an inch of the top with coffee.

3.Add a light dusting of cloves.

 

Recipe for Coffee Bananas

4 Small ripe bananas	2 tbsp dark brown sugar
1 tbsp Instant coffee granules or coffee powder	1 1/8 cup strained plain Yogurt
1 tbsp hot water	1 tbsp toasted silvered almonds

• Peel and slice one banana and mash the remaining three with a fork
• Dissolve the coffee in the hot water and stir into mashed bananas
• Spoon a little of the mashed banana mixture into 4 serving dishes & sprinkle with sugar.
• Top with a spoonful of yogurt, then repeat until all ingredients are finished.
• Swirl the last layer of yogurt for a marbled effect.
• Complete it with a few banana slices and silvered almonds.
• Serve cold.

Calories per portion about 200. Serves 4. Cooking time About 2 minutes

Variation:
You can sprinkle some cinnamon powder also.
For special occasions you can a tsp of brandy or Rum to the bananas (about 50 calories extra)