Saturday, December 20, 2014

Homemade Peppermint Mocha Creamer

I wanted to share one of  my favorite creamers this season. It turns any cup of coffee into a holiday cup of cheer. I don't  know about you guys but buying a peppermint mocha at Starbucks everyday would make me go broke. So here is a simple, fast alternative that will brighten up your spirits. It has a rich flavor and is made with a few ingredients that are probably already in your cupboard.

Ingredients:
1 can of sweetened  condensed milk 
1 and 1/2 cups of half and half 
1 teaspoon of peppermint extract
3 to 5 tablespoons of chocolate  syrup
1 mason jar with a lid


Steps:
1. Stir the half and half with the sweetened condensed
2. Stir the peppermint extract and chocolate syrup  in the mixture. *I put 4 tablespoons of syrup in my mixture, you can put less or more depending on how rich you want it.
3. Seal the lid on the mixture and shake it up! *you might want to play Taylor Swift Shake it Off during this step.
4. As always enjoy your homemade creamer with any coffee! 

"For to us a child is born to us  a Son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
Have a Merry Christmas.

Sunday, December 7, 2014

The Pour Over

Merry Christmas Everybody!

Since the holidays are upon us, I have not done a blog in two weeks! This is my first blog so I do not know the correct protocol on blogging. Do I post once a week? every other? I think I will just go with the busyness of my life and when I can fit writing the blog in.
  So today we are going to go over the method of the Pour Over Coffee Method, which is the most popular hot brew method.  This method is a simple form of brewing coffee and it focuses on brewing one cup at a time. The pour over method is the fastest method on making a cup of Joe. At Starbucks we would use this method if we did not have a certain roast brewing at the time we would just ground the customers specialty roast and pour hot water over the grounds and filter and Voila! a hot cup of Joe in minutes.  If you are in a rush most mornings to get to work, church this is the best way to make at home coffee.
  Materials needed: Grinder, Coffee beans ( I used the Christmas Blend from Starbucks), Brew Cone, Filter ,Cup, Hot water, Timer and  Tablespoon. I found my brew cone and cup at Starbucks, You can order one on amazon or even get one at Walmart, Target.



 Steps:
1.Grind about 1/4 of cup of whole beans into a medium fine. ( The best is to grind the coffee right before it leaves the oils in the coffee) pre-ground coffee has the oils disperse and it will not be as rich of a flavor.

2. Measure about a tablespoon of grounds per 4 ounces of hot water.

3. Boil water in tea kettle, microwave etc.

4. Place the cone filter ( this is a small paper filter) in the cone and then place grounds in the filter.

5. Pour the hot water slowly over the grounds it takes about two minutes. Focus on pouring the correct amount of water to give you a nice rounded taste. I measured out my water in a glass cup before I poured it.

* A good tip is to stir the grounds and water while it is dripping to make sure it is even.


The Pour Over set I own goes straight into the mug and then I can add my cream and fixens. I was in the Christmas mood and added Eggnog as my creamer! This mixed with a little bit of half and half makes a great holiday creamer. 


That's how the pour over is done! Fast and simple! Oh and one more thing I just wanted to show off my cute Christmas dish towels that were half off at Hobby Lobby! Sorry if the picture is a little crooked. :)