It's another What's for Dinner Wednesday where 'dinner' isn't so much dinner but a drink. As you all know, I love the Christmas season with all it's sights and scents, and this year, I experimented with creating a coffee that encapsulated all of it.
Ingredients: 1 cup coffee beans (OR ground coffee), 2 tablespoons mulling spices (OR approximately 2 tablespoons combined of orange rind, cinnamon sticks, fresh nutmeg, and allspice OR 2 tablespoons combined of orange zest, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground allspice).
If you have a coffee grinder- place the beans and mulling spices (or first substitute) in your machine, and grind the mixture to your desired constancy.
If you don't have a coffee grinder- place the grounds and second substitute for mulling spices in a small bowl or coffee filter, and stir to combine.
Brew the seasoned grounds as normal, and serve up your cup of Joe with sugar and creamer if desired. Enjoy!
Another week has reached its midpoint, which means it's time for What's for Dinner Wednesday. Tonight, I'd like to share with you a family recipe that might be useful to you as we forge through the chilly nights ahead...hot cocoa.
Ingredients: 1 cup milk, 1.5 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder, 3 tsp sugar (or sugar substitute).
Combine cocoa and sweetener in the bottom of a microwave safe mug with a spoon:
Add about 2 tablespoons of the milk to the cup; combine to form a liquid-y paste. Pour in the rest of the milk and stir to combine. Microwave for 1 minute on high, then remove, stir, and microwave for another minute to minute and a half. Enjoy!
I love this recipe for several reasons:
1) It's simple and preservative free.
2) It's easily dressed up- top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings and maybe a peppermint stir-stick and you've got a fancy, festive treat!
3) It fits any diet- if you're watching your weight, use skim milk and Splenda for a happy ending to your day with 100 calories or less!
4) It makes a great gift- if you're looking for homemade gifts or party favors, combine cocoa, sweetener, and 1/3 cup powdered milk in ziplock bags (for individual packets...or multiply the recipe and put in mason jars). Give as gift along with instructions to add 1 cup water and the contents of the packet (about 1/3 cup and 1 tablespoon of mix from a larger container) to a mug and microwave.
