It's one thing to say you love your coffee, but how many of you can say your coffee loves you back? Check out the grounds in my coffee basket! Actually, this photo was taken at the office back in the fall - there it was - a glistening, coffee-brown heart xo... have not replicated that moment again, but definitely feel the love every a.m. with my hot java :) More recently, on the home front... I had to purchase a new coffee maker and decided to splurge on the Bunn brand coffee maker sold by Tim Horton's. It is a brewer designed for home use, but has some features of the commercial version - in particular the reservoir that preheats the water for your next cuppa! Apparently it is the hotter temp that makes the better brew, and I must say I am enjoying the use of it. It also brews very quickly - a full pot in about two minutes. Satisfies my caffeine addiction, and my impatience too -- LOL! My Mom and Dad were both coffee lovers, but in particular my Mom was the brew master. Ever hospitable, she always makes amazing coffee and usually has some kind of home baking to tempt her visitors too. I am passing on the baking these days (aside from the occasional sugar-free peanut butter cookie) - got to fit my summer duds, after all, and I have been training hard at the gym, so I don't want to blow it. But, I wanted to share a favourite recipe of my Dad's - it is a crumb cake recipe that Dad's sister (my dynamic Auntie Helen!) used to make, and she kindly shared the recipe with my Mom. My Dad passed away in March, twelve years ago, so Dad, this is for you! It is a delicious cake - not too sweet or too rich and it pairs so beautifully with a great cup of coffee. Hope you will try it some time when you want to treat yourself with something home-baked and extra-special. Auntie Helen's Crumb Cake Ingredients: 2 cups all purpose flour 1 cup granulated sugar (brown is also okay) 3/4 cup margarine or shortening 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. cinnamon Blend the above ingredients with a fork or pastry blender to form a coarse crumb mixture. Reserve 1 cup for topping. To the remainder add: 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. ground cloves 1/2 cup raisins (any type, I like Thompson!) 1/2 cup dried currants (or walnuts) 1 beaten egg 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk plus 1 Tbsp. white vinegar) Mix well and pour batter into a buttered 8" x 8" or 9" x 12" cake pan (use sometimes use a 10" round springform pan). Sprinkle reserved crumbs over the top and press down slightly with a wooden spoon or spatula. Bake at 350 degree Fahrenheit for 30-45 minutes, depending on pan size. Delicious right out of the oven with... you guessed it... COFFEE xo!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Coffee Luvr
It's one thing to say you love your coffee, but how many of you can say your coffee loves you back? Check out the grounds in my coffee basket! Actually, this photo was taken at the office back in the fall - there it was - a glistening, coffee-brown heart xo... have not replicated that moment again, but definitely feel the love every a.m. with my hot java :) More recently, on the home front... I had to purchase a new coffee maker and decided to splurge on the Bunn brand coffee maker sold by Tim Horton's. It is a brewer designed for home use, but has some features of the commercial version - in particular the reservoir that preheats the water for your next cuppa! Apparently it is the hotter temp that makes the better brew, and I must say I am enjoying the use of it. It also brews very quickly - a full pot in about two minutes. Satisfies my caffeine addiction, and my impatience too -- LOL! My Mom and Dad were both coffee lovers, but in particular my Mom was the brew master. Ever hospitable, she always makes amazing coffee and usually has some kind of home baking to tempt her visitors too. I am passing on the baking these days (aside from the occasional sugar-free peanut butter cookie) - got to fit my summer duds, after all, and I have been training hard at the gym, so I don't want to blow it. But, I wanted to share a favourite recipe of my Dad's - it is a crumb cake recipe that Dad's sister (my dynamic Auntie Helen!) used to make, and she kindly shared the recipe with my Mom. My Dad passed away in March, twelve years ago, so Dad, this is for you! It is a delicious cake - not too sweet or too rich and it pairs so beautifully with a great cup of coffee. Hope you will try it some time when you want to treat yourself with something home-baked and extra-special. Auntie Helen's Crumb Cake Ingredients: 2 cups all purpose flour 1 cup granulated sugar (brown is also okay) 3/4 cup margarine or shortening 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. cinnamon Blend the above ingredients with a fork or pastry blender to form a coarse crumb mixture. Reserve 1 cup for topping. To the remainder add: 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. ground cloves 1/2 cup raisins (any type, I like Thompson!) 1/2 cup dried currants (or walnuts) 1 beaten egg 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk plus 1 Tbsp. white vinegar) Mix well and pour batter into a buttered 8" x 8" or 9" x 12" cake pan (use sometimes use a 10" round springform pan). Sprinkle reserved crumbs over the top and press down slightly with a wooden spoon or spatula. Bake at 350 degree Fahrenheit for 30-45 minutes, depending on pan size. Delicious right out of the oven with... you guessed it... COFFEE xo!
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