Coconut Cowboy Coffee

Photo courtesy of Gretchen at Kumquat

Ciao Ragazzi!

As some of you might have noticed, I've been MIA for a stretch. It's been fun, but I've missed you.

Lots of craziness going on - some of which I look forward to sharing when I can - but the nutshell version is that I've been displaced by yet another international transition and separated from both my beloved kitchen and my tiny (but comfortable, familiar and organized) workspace and, as a result, have been in a bit of an uninspired funk.

In any case, I stumbled across this lovely little bit of heaven that snapped me out of said funk and bookmarked it immediately for that glorious day when I can finally make myself a decent cup of coffee again - and since I have been terribly selfish hoarding all my fabulous little finds over the past couple of months, I felt compelled to pass this one on because..well, someone should be able to enjoy it immediately.

Ironically, I don't even really LIKE coffee - but this simple but fabulous little trickeroo from Gretchen at Kumquat - one of my new favorite gluten-free blogesses - has me slapping my veins wanting to shoot it intravenously...

Alas, methinks I will wait until my moka is unpacked. Just another couple of weeks...

In the meantime, please indulge and enjoy...


Coconut Cowboy Coffee
recipe courtesy of Kumquat
Serves one

1 cup canned unsweetened coconut milk
1 cup hot, brewed strong coffee
3 tablespoons chocolate syrup

Heat coconut milk in small saucepan until steamy. If desired, froth with a steam wand or aerator.

Combine coffee, chocolate syrup and coconut milk.

Yup, that's it. Sometimes the simplest things is life are all we need...

Enjoy =)

Strawberry-Mint Smoothies

One of my awesome Facebook fans gave me a wicked craving for a new smoothie and I Googled my way to this one. The caffeine kick from the green-tea makes it a great pre-workout drink - much lighter than my usual yogurt or nut-milk versions.

Quite a few people tried it immediately after I posted it and gave it rave reviews. So I made it for breakfast this morning and they were right - it was ridicdelish!!

For all you other smoothie-lovers out there, this one is a must-try.

Strawberry Mint Smoothies

Adapted from "Best of" Inn Cuisine recipe, courtesy of the Aska Lodge B&B
Makes three 1-cup servings

1-1/2 cups strong, chilled green tea (made with 6 standard tea bags - I refrigerated overnight)
2 cups frozen strawberries (or blueberries or whatever berries you like)
1 frozen banana, sliced into 1" chunks (if you forgot to freeze the fruit like I did, add some ice)
a small handful of mint leaves (optional)
3 tablespoons honey (or agave syrup if you don't do honey)

Blend everything on high speed until combined. Top with fresh berries or a sprig of mint. Enjoy immediately!

Note: I pumped it up with 2 tablespoons of ground organic flax seeds and some vegan protein powder for some extra energy before my 10-mile bike ride. Supplement yours as needed.

Green & Black Hot Cocoa

Photo and recipe courtesy of Amanda at Easy Peasy Organic

Oooooh yum. What a perfect warm-up for a snowy day!

1 1/2 c water
1 green tea bag (the 'green')
2 Tbs fair-trade cocoa powder (the 'black')
2 Tbs coconut sugar* (or any brown sugar)
1 1/2 c vanilla soy milk
2 dashes of cinnamon

*if you're using unsweetened cocoa powder you might want to add a little more sugar

Heat the water in a small saucepan to just below boiling point. Remove from heat and add the green tea bag. Steep for 3-5 minutes.

Remove the tea bag and add the cocoa powder, sugar and 3/4 c milk. Heat again to just below boiling, stirring until the sugar and cocoa dissolve. Remove from heat, stir in the remaining milk.

Pour into two mugs and add a dash of cinnamon to each.

Just made some for breakfast this morning. It's like a cozy down comforter in a cup!

Thanks Amanda!