I confess that I love my slow cooker,  I use it at least once a week. The best part is that clean up is easy and you don’t have to watch over the food. Throw ingredients in the crock pot, turn it on and come back when it’s done. Whether it’s a whole complete meal in the pot or just the main dish cooking is a breeze.

My kids love spare ribs but I am not a fan of the mess and time involved in making them. When you have children in the house, it is very easy to over cook the ribs with all the distractions. The result is dry or burnt ribs.  Although I prefer my ribs well done, most everyone else doesn’t. Making barbecue ribs in a slow cooker is the perfect answer. Extremely easy to make and never dry or overcooked.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Barbecue Ribs

• 4-5 pounds pork ribs
• 2 onions
• 1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce

Directions for Slow Cooker Barbecue Ribs

For easier clean up, lightly spray inside of crock pot with a no stick cooking spray.

Thinly slice onions and place in bottom of crock pot. Place the ribs on top of onions, try not to let ribs touch the sides of pot. Pour barbecue sauce over ribs, making sure they are completely covered. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or until ribs are tender. The ribs will be perfect but because I like a little crisp to mine I pop a few under the broiler for a couple minutes.

I serve the ribs with a tossed salad, corn on the cob and some home made cole slaw or potato salad. Using a slow cooker to make ribs is a perfect way to have a summer barbecue even if there is snow on the ground.

As much as I love a hot cup of coffee, I have to admit that some days it is just too hot for coffee. Days like that are perfect for iced coffee. It is not hard to learn how to make iced coffee. This simple recipe for iced coffee allows you to brew a glass in just a few minutes.

Brew a pot of coffee a little stronger than usual; for example use around 6 or 7 tablespoons coffee to 1 1/2 cups water. After it has finished brewing allow it to cool a bit and simply pour it into a glass filled with ice. Add a little milk or cream and sweeten to taste. I prefer to use a little whipped cream instead.

When making iced coffee it is important that the coffee be brewed stronger especially with this recipe since it will dilute when poured over ice. If you find your iced coffee is too strong, just add a little cool water to your glass.

If you are looking to save a little money, try using your leftover coffee. If you have coffee left over in the morning, pour it into a pitcher and refrigerate. When you are ready for a glass of iced coffee simply pour it into a glass with a little ice and milk. Since the coffee is chilled it will not dilute as much and will still have a nice flavor.

Irish coffee can add a nice finishing touch to any special dinner. Irish coffee could be considered a flavored coffee but it is actually a standard coffee with added flavor; the flavor is added after brewing. This recipe for Irish coffee shows how easy it is to make. Irish coffee is a quick and easy after dinner coffee that can also make an ordinary meal elegant. Irish coffee is normally served after dinner with dessert. Often times it is served in place of dessert. We suggest that if you will be serving dessert along with Irish coffee keep the dessert simple and light. Irish coffee is also known as Irish coffee with whiskey.

Recipe for Irish Coffee

• 5-6 jiggers Irish whiskey
• whipped cream
• 5-10 teaspoons sugar
• fresh brewed pot of coffee

Brew normal strength or slightly strong coffee. As coffee is brewing gently heat 5-6 jiggers of whiskey until warm, do not boil. Place one jigger warmed whiskey into a 7 or 9 ounce coffee cup. Add 1 teaspoon sugar. Add freshly brewed coffee to within 1/2-3/4 inch from top. Stir until sugar is fully dissolved. Top with whipped cream. Serve immediately. This recipes makes 6-8 servings. Sugar can be adjusted to suit taste.

I have always thought that a good first date is meeting for a cup of coffee. It is less stressful than a full dinner, if the two of you don’t click the date is short enough to not be a long unbearable meeting. Even with only a few things in common you can probably find enough to talk about while you drink a cup of coffee. I received an email the other day from Paul that makes me rethink the whole idea of meeting for coffee on a first date.

Paul wrote, “What is the difference between cafe latte and cafe au lait? I went out the other night and my date asked me to get her a cafe latte. I was so nervous I ordered her a cafe au lait. She was annoyed that she got the wrong drink but when I asked her what the difference was she couldn’t tell me. She just said they are very different. In case I call her for another date I want to know for next time. I am not a fancy coffee drinker, I just like a little milk and sugar in regular coffee.”

Cafe au Lait and Cafe Latte are indeed different. Cafe au lait is actually equal parts of regular coffee and hot milk. A cafe latte is made with 1/3 espresso and 2/3’s hot steamed milk. A cafe latte generally does not have a milk froth top. Sugar is generally not added to a caffe latte but those who prefer sweetened coffee will often add it to cafe au lait.

Many people cannot tell cafe au lait and cafe latte apart so I also told Paul he shouldn’t feel bad. I am just surprised his date knew there was a difference but didn’t know what the difference was. He has since followed up with me and said it is is fine to include the rest of his story.

He called his date back and asked her out again, this time for dinner. After dinner was over the waiter asked if they wanted coffee. Paul impressed his date and ordered a cafe latte for his date and a cafe au lait for himself. They sampled each other’s drink and Paul decided he really enjoyed a cafe au lait while the cafe latte was a little too strong. They spoke about the difference between the two drinks. She was impressed that he took the time to find out the difference between the two drinks. They also agreed that despite their different coffee preferences they want to continue dating.

Never under-estimate the power of coffee.

If you enjoy Cafe Latte or Cafe au Lait be sure to read about a great easy way to make these espresso based drinks at home with a coffeemaker that makes Cafe Latte, Cafe au Lait, cappuccino and other great coffee.

Spring has arrived and my thoughts start drifting to coffee and tea recipes for the summer. One of my favorite summertime treats is a coffee frost. I guess I had this on my mind when I met some friends the other day, somehow we got onto the subject of ice cream. I mentioned that while I don’t care for coffee flavored ice cream, I love drinking a coffee frost. I was surprised my friends had never tried one. Of course that meant I had to make a batch for us.

It is very easy to make a coffee frost, you’ll actually even use some leftover coffee.

Ingredients for Coffee Frost

2 cups cold coffee (a little strong is best)
about 1/2 to 3/4 pint ice cream – chocolate or vanilla
1 cup strawberries (washed and cut in 1/4’s) or 1 banana
Put coffee and fruit into a blender and blend at high speed until smooth. Should take less than a minute.
Add ice cream and blend at medium speed until smooth, takes about 15-30 seconds.

Pour into glasses and enjoy. If you like it slightly thicker add a little more ice cream. If you are entertaining guests, serve with a strawberry for garnish.

We all enjoyed our coffee frosts the other day. I prefer using vanilla ice cream and strawberries but vanilla and banana was preferred by my friends. If you are making the frost with chocolate ice cream try adding a little extra fruit when blending.

I sometimes receive emails asking for a list of recommended flavored coffees. That happens to be a difficult question to answer. I like a variety of flavored coffees depending on my mood and the weather. On a cold day I like a more robust flavor, during warm summer days a light and fruity flavored coffee hits the spot. When I am dieting a chocolate flavored coffee is a wonderful way to indulge myself a bit.

The best way to go about trying flavored coffee is to make a full pot of coffee. One or two small sips of coffee is usually not enough, you need a full cup or mug. Of course, in my case I also like to try a second cup. I also like to make a second pot a day or two later. That allows me to experiment with the strength of the brew.

One great company to check out is Boca Java, fantastic savings on Boca Java coffees, teas, cocoas, and gifts. There are several awesome flavored coffees available. One of the best things you’ll find are the 2 ounce packs of coffee. These 2 ounce sample packs, also called Baby Boca samples you to try a full pot of flavored coffee. With around 30 different coffees available, including 20 flavored coffees, I’m sure you’ll find several that you like.

If you like chocolate either the Chocolate Cherry Celebration or Courtside Chocolate is a fantastic choice as a late afternoon or after dinner coffee. The Hightide Hazelnut Creme is another wonderful selection I like midmorning. I could go on and list my favorites but I would have to list them all. Try several blends to see which is right for you.

I have to include one last coffee, Lucky Leprechaun Lagoon. It’s only available during March and tastes just like Irish coffee. Simply delicious!

This is an interesting recipe sent to me by Sheila. I tried it yesterday afternoon and it was delicious! A very nice change of pace. It does require a prep work so prepare the water ahead of time.

Ingredients for Water:

• 6 cups water
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 8 whole cloves
• 8 allspice

Put water and spices in pot and bring to boil. When water starts to boil lower heat and let water simmer for about 5 minutes. After water has simmered, you need to let the water chill until cool.

Ingredients to Brew coffee:

• 6 cups of spiced water
• 3/4 cup ground coffee

When you are ready to brew your coffee, strain spices from the water. Brew coffee as usual using the strained spiced water in place of plain water. You’ll need about 3/4 cup coffee grind but adjust this as desired. Remember you can always add a little warm water if too strong.

This is a nice dessert coffee. To fully enjoy the flavor, serve with a dessert that does not have an intense flavor, try plain pound cake.

A special thank you to Sheila for this recipe.

February 11th, 2008 · No Comments
I mentioned the other day that I was sipping a cup of homemade Cafe Mocha and several people contacted me. A couple wanted to know what a Cafe Mocha was and several others wanted to know how to make it at home. A cafe mocha is a coffee based drink with chocolate added. An authentic Cafe Mocha is a latte with chocolate syrup; whipped cream is an optional addition. In case there are novice coffee drinkers reading a latte is a coffee drink that is 1 part espresso and 2 parts steamed milk.

There are actually several ways to make Cafe Mocha. You can start primarily with a espresso, a latte or even regular coffee. Another variation using cappuccinno is more likely to be called a moccaccino.

How you make a cafe mocha will depend on what coffee brewing equipment you have. This easy version recipe for Cafe Mocha is great for anyone who only has a regular coffee pot and who does not have access to espresso. For this recipe you will need coffee, hot chocolate and powdered creamer or even a little regular cream or 1/2 & 1/2. Powdered creamer works great in this recipe because it make more of a latte base coffee beverage.

You will need some strong fresh brewed coffee, brew it a little stronger than normal. I like to use a rich and robust blend but any blend will be fine. As your coffee is brewing prepare some hot chocolate. Use your favorite recipe or even instant cocoa mix. You will be mixing equal amount of brewed coffee and hot chocolate so prepare desired amount.

When your coffee is ready add the creamer and stir. Take a large mug and mix equal parts hot chocolate and coffee. Stir until blended. If desired top with whipped cream. Now, sit back and enjoy.

I had a craving the other day for a root beer float. I mentioned this to a friend and she shared this recipe for a Mocha Float. It was very good and I can see myself having this on a hot summer day.

Ingredients for Mocha Float:

• Vanilla ice cream
• club soda
• ~ 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon powdered chocolate milk
• 3/4 teaspoon instant coffee

In large glass put chocolate milk powder, instant coffee and sugar. Add about 6 ounces of club soda and mix until the dry ingredients dissolve. Add two scoops of ice cream and stir. Just like a root beer float serve this with both a straw and a spoon.

It is a very refreshing drink and dessert.

Every cup of coffee or tea starts with water. To brew the best coffee or tea you need to start with fresh water. For optimum flavor you need fresh water. The water should be clear, and free of odor and flavor.

Whether or not you need to filter water depends on where you live and the quality of the water. The easiest way to test is to taste a glass of freshly drawn water. If the water has a bitter taste or has an aftertaste you should filter your water. Either install a filter on your tap or use water from a water dispenser – either a free standing version or one installed on refrigerator.

Do not use distilled water or water that has been sitting out, freshly drawn cold water is best. Distilled water will lack some minerals that are necessary to properly brew tea and coffee. If you’d like to read more about brewing tea and coffee the main website has more information. Please see How to Brew Tea and How to Brew Coffee

Starting with good fresh water is a key to brewing good coffee and tea. Good water will mean maximum pure flavor no matter what tea or coffee you use.

Check back for more tips on brewing great coffee and tea.