How to Make a Latte

For my 30th birthday, my husband bought me an espresso machine so I could make my very own lattes at home!  I do not make these daily, but it is very nice to have the option when you're craving one!  I wanted to give a sort of "how to" recipe for making a latte since that is the overall title and inspiration for this blog. 

You will have to convert this according to your own espresso machine, but here is the overall idea...

Espresso
3/4 to 1 cup Milk
Flavor of choice

Pour 1 to 2 ounces of desired flavoring into a 12-16 oz. cup.



Tamp the ground espresso into the portafilter firmly and lock it into the group head on the espresso machine.  Start the shots.



Pour the shots of espresso into prepared cup.
(This is a photo of the espresso brewing.  When brewing is complete, you pour the shots over your flavoring.)



Fill the metal pitcher with 1 cup milk, or 3/4 cup if using a flavor.

Place thermometer securely inside the steel pitcher.
(As you can see here, I don't normally do this.)

Steam milk between 155ºF and 165F. It will scorch above 170ºF.


The steam wand should be inserted diagonally just below the surface of the milk.
(This will help you get the thick foam you desire.)

Pour steamed milk over espresso.  Do not let your shots sit very long before pouring steamed milk over them.  The steaming process should be done accuratly, but quickly.  When pouring use a spoon to regulate the flow of the foam. Make sure no foam enters the drink until you are about 1/4 in. from the top, where you can remove your spoon. The result should be a nice brown foamy top with a small white foam center.

 

For an added touch, drizzle chocolate or caramel on top of the foam.  Or, add whip cream to the top for sweeter sipping.

Iced Coffee

It's beginning to warm up!  Here is a nice, cool way to prepare your coffee. 










1 1/2 c. cold water
1/3 c. ground coffee (medium-course ground is the best)

In a measuring cup, stir together coffee and 1 1/2 cups water. Cover and let rest at room temperature overnight or 12 hours. 

Strain twice through a coffee filter and a fine-mesh sieve or a sieve lined with cheesecloth.

In a tall glass, mix sugar, creamer, and room temperature coffee.  (This will help sugar dissolve before chilling.)  If desired, add milk; then add ice.  Let stand for 3-5 minutes to chill completely.

South Georgia Sweet Tea

I am not a tea drinker.  So when my husband and I were married, he showed me the way he enjoyed drinking sweet tea.  (I guess you could say this is his recipe.)  The rest of my family loves sweet tea as well, so I make it a couple of times a week. Warning:  This tea is as strong as it is sweet.  So not everyone can handle the dark, sweet flavor from this beverage. 

4 family size tea bags (I use Lipton)
2 cups of sugar



In a small size saucepan over medium heat, bring the 4 tea bags to a boil.  Simmer slowly for 1-2 minutes.

Meanwhile, pour 2 cups of sugar into a gallon size pitcher.

Using a slotted spoon, Pour water from tea over sugar; careful not to bust the tea bags or drop them into the pitcher.  Run warm water over tea bags (inside pot) and drain again.  Repeat this step 3 more times. 

Stir warm tea into sugar until dissolved.  (Your pitcher will be almost 1/2 full.)  Then turn your cold water on and run strait into pitcher.  Stirring constantly until almost full. 



Let it stand for about 30 minutes before serving as to not melt the ice.  Serve over a generous amount of ice.  Enjoy!



Party Punch

Here is a yummy punch recipe that I just made for our youngest daughter's 1st birthday party.  It has long been one of my favorite punch recipes and is as pretty as it is delicious!  I have also been making this in individual glasses this week (as you would a float) and it has been soothing to my sore throat.  Enjoy!

1/2 gallon Sherbet (the flavor/color of your choice)                

2-liter Ginger Ale

2-liter 7 Up

Scoop your sherbet into a punch bowl (or glass).  Pour Ginger Ale and 7 Up over it.  It's that easy!!! 






Tips:
1.  If you are making this for punch, (and have room in your refrigerator) it's best to chill the Ginger Ale and 7 Up before serving. 

2.  My personal favorite is raspberry sherbet!  When making this, I also buy a bag of frozen raspberries and freeze them in ice cube trays to help chill the punch and garnish it.  If you choose to do this, freeze them using the Ginger Ale or 7 Up, not water.  Then as the ice melts, your punch does not become watered down. 

Spiced Cider

What a delicious way to entertain this season!  Your house will smell wonderful, and your guests will have a warm, flavorful drink to sip on.  Grab your crock pot and a jug of cider and call your friends over for a night of fun and laughter!

1/2 gallon apple cider
1/4 c. red hots
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. allspice
oranges (optional)
2-3 cinnamon sticks (optional)

In a small saucepan, combine 2 cups apple cider, red hots, and brown sugar.  Bring to a boil stirring constantly.  Add cloves and allspice.  Mix with remaining cider in a crock pot and add cinnamon sticks and orange slices.  Serve warm!