Archive for March, 2010
A few years ago, my mother in-law bought me an espresso machine, and after putting it to use a couple of times, it has been confined to an obscure kitchen cabinet where it is collecting dust with the rest of my rarely used appliances. For the first time in I don’t know how long, my in-laws are came to visit last week, so I had to do some spelunking to retrieve the coffeemaker and bring it out of retirement. I could tell that my mother in-law was happy to see the machine when she stepped into the kitchen, and for the week they were here, I put it to good use.
In fact, over their stay I rekindled my love for coffee and have yet to put the machine away. It’s so much easier to wake up in the morning when you have a strong shot of espresso waiting for you.
Nothing is worse than waking up in the morning only to find that mineral deposits and buildup are impeding the flow of java from your coffee machine. Unfortunately, I faced that exact scenario this morning. Instead of being able to brew my own coffee, I was forced to wait in the long, snaking line that forms at the Starbucks drive-thru window every morning.
I am definitely not subjecting myself to that again, so I called my husband to pick up some espresso decalcifier on his way home from work. Typically, I just use vinegar in my machine, but my friend informed me that that method of cleaning coffee makers is now antiquated. Specialized decalcifiers not only do a better job, but they also won’t leave an unpleasant aftertaste in the machine.
Once every couple of months my niece comes to stay at our house while her parents take a few days for themselves. Since my husband and I don’t have any kids of our own, we look forward to these short stints with a young child in the house. Every time she comes over, we try to plan some fun diversions so that she won’t feel too homesick.
Despite only being five years old, she has a love for being in the kitchen and helping me cook. I always plan some simple recipes so that she can help; I never let her do anything too dangerous, of course, usually just stirring the batter or giving a few twists from the Cilio salt mill. Although she is painfully shy, I have seen that she is starting to open up and be more at ease during our visits.
Even if you don’t consider yourself a “morning person,” we all have parts of our morning routine that we deem indispensible. For some it’s reading the paper or watching the news, while for others it’s as simple as quickly running a comb through their hair and brushing their teeth. There are a growing number of people, however, who simply can’t function without their morning cup of coffee—and I’m one of them.
Every night before I go to bed, I set my automatic espresso machine so that their will be a freshly brewed cup of Joe waiting for me when I descend downstairs. Once I have some caffeine pulsing through my veins, I am able to make the kids’ lunches and get all of the other items we’ll need for the day in place. Some people may see this caffeine fixation as a crutch, but thanks to the automatic settings on my machine, it doesn’t impede me at all.
Virtually every couple signs up at several registries in anticipation of their nuptial ceremony, and while buying something off these lists is certainly a safe bet, I feel that it is rather impersonal. When I attend weddings of close friends and relations, I like to go it on my own and select a more personalized gift. My college roommate got married last weekend, and as an avid coffee drinker, I decided to get him a Solis espresso machine.
He and his wife had a cheaper model on their registry, but I know that they will both appreciate the premium beverages that the machine can churn out. They didn’t open any of the gifts at the reception, and since they will be spending 10 days is Chile on their honeymoon, I am sure that I won’t get any feedback on the gift anytime soon. However, I am confident that my gift will be much appreciated and won’t be a candidate for re-gifting.
My mother in-law is a coffee addict. I know that many people make that claim, but she is on a different level. Throughout the day, she drinks no less than 15 cups of coffee, and it seems like there is always a pot brewing on her countertop. A few days ago, however, she gave me a call and asked if I would come inspect her coffee maker.
She was complaining that the taste of her coffee was off and that it was taking an increased amount of time to brew each pot. I assumed that this was due to some in the machine—likely from her hard water—so I brought my Durgol over to her house. After quickly inspecting the machine, I found that my initial hypothesis was correct, and I had her coffee maker running like new in no time.
Last weekend my niece came over to stay with my husband and me for a few days while her parents went on a second honeymoon to Argentina. It had been awhile since I had seen her, and not only was I amazed at how she had grown physically, but she also had developed quite an independent personality. Over the last few years, it seems that she has become a diehard animal rights activist and adopted a vegan philosophy.
Every morning that she was here, I would break out my pepper mill and try my best to prepare her a nutritious breakfast that met her stringent diet. My niece showed me some recipes and tips in the kitchen that I will continue to use even after she leaves. By the end of the week, I believe I became quite adept at dressing up the tofu and vegetables that are the staple of her diet.
There are literally million of self-described coffee lovers in the world, but few of them enjoy their java without any additional add-ins. If you observe a few drink orders at Starbucks, chances are that you will hear everything from mochas and espressos to cappuccinos and macchiatos being ordered. With this wide range of coffee beverages now available, it is surprising that many people still have a standard drip coffee machine in their home.
Today several premium coffee makers available allow you to have professional-style beverages in the comfort of your own home. Many people complain that the coffee they brew themselves doesn’t compare to what they order in a coffeehouse, and the problem is that they are using inadequate equipment. A premium cappuccino maker, for example, will allow you to heat and steam the milk for your coffee, making it indistinguishable from its $4 coffeehouse counterpart.
It used to be that a kitchen was complete once there was a microwave and a toaster in place. But in this modern age, a myriad of other gadgets are now staples in the American home. From juicers to George Forman Lean Mean Fat Reducing Grilling Machines, our counters are littered with innovative appliances. While most of these items are simply a luxury, one appliance has joined the ranks of the toaster and microwave as a mandatory kitchen addition: the coffee maker.
Even if you don’t drink the beverage, coffee makers are an essential piece of equipment. It has become common courtesy to offer your guests a cup of coffee or tea when they pay you a visit. If you don’t drink the beverage on a regular basis, I recommend having an inexpensive coffee machine and some coffee grounds on hand anyways, just in case.
When brewing coffee in your espresso coffee maker, it is imperative that you use high-grade coffee beans. Unlike drip coffee, espresso is brewed under pressure. This concentrates the flavors in the drink, and if you don’t use premium coffee, it is likely that your java will have an acidic aftertaste.
There are several variations on the classic espresso; one of my favorites is the simple macchiato. To prepare this basic coffee beverage, start by preparing a single shot of espresso. Finish the macchiato by adding a couple tablespoons of foamed milk, which will add flavor and body to the drink.