Though coffee has been around for centuries, it often feels like it’s a new fashion trend because new coffee places keep popping up. These places have more than just your basic cup of coffee and definitely none of it is instant.
We have discovered that there truly are some people who are gifted with taste. They set the standard for food. They help please our palates. Thy help us become kitchen wonders just like they themselvs are. These are the chefs.
Chefs love coffee as much as we do. They use it in various recipes, not all of them drinks. The 2 recipes listed below are from the Food Network celebrity chefs that are a must try.
Coffee Granita by Alton Brown
- 2 cups lukewarm espresso or strong black coffee
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons coffee flavored liqueur
- 1 teaspoon orange or lemon zest
Directions:
Combine all ingredients and stir until sugar melts. Pour mixture into 9 by 13-inch metal pan and place on level shelf in freezer for half an hour. (Mixture should only come about 1/4-inch up the side of the pan.) Remove and use a dinner fork to scrape any ice crystals that have formed on the side or bottom of the pan. Return to freezer and repeat scraping every 20 to 30 minutes for 3 to 4 hours. Once mixture is thoroughly frozen, fluff with a fork and allow flakes to “dry” in freezer another half hour before serving. When served, the granita should look like a fluffy pile of dry brown crystals.
Scoop into goblets and top with barely sweetened whipped cream, add additional citrus zest if desired.
Cardamom Coffee Custard by Gale Gand, Host of Sweet Dreems
- 2 cups whole, 2 percent fat, or 1 percent fat milk
- 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
- 2 tablespoons dark-roast coffee beans, crushed with a heavy skillet
- 4 green cardamom pods, crushed
- 6 egg yolks
- 2/3 cups sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 4 whole coffee beans, for garnish
Directions:
In a nonreactive saucepan, bring the milk, vanilla bean, crushed coffee beans and cardamom to a simmer over medium heat. Immediately turn off the heat and set aside to infuse for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or using a hand mixer), whip the egg yolks, sugar and salt until pale yellow and fluffy. With the mixer running at low speed, mix in the cornstarch, then very gradually pour in the hot milk mixture, mixing it in as you go.
Strain the mixture through a fine sieve back into the saucepan, to smooth it and to remove the spices. Whisking constantly, cook over medium-high heat until thick and just boiling. When the mixture thickens, the whisk will leave trail marks on the bottom of the pot and the mixture will have a few large bubbles boiling up to the top. Cook just until no starchy taste or feeling remains. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter until melted. Pour into 4 custard cups, ramekins, or mugs and chill, uncovered, at least 2 hours or overnight. Serve chilled, placing a whole coffee bean in the center of each serving.
[tags] coffee,recipes,food network,sweet dreams,dessert,Gale Gand,Alton Brown [/tags]
Originally posted on October 15, 2006 @ 4:24 am