| Since winter has finally come to Alaska and it is snowing in Anchorage, my thoughts (and perhaps yours as well) are of keeping warm and cozy. One of the best ways that I know of is coffee! |
| Fortunately, I live in a state where you can’t go 10 feet without running into a coffee shack. Some of these places are literally 5 ft. x 5 ft. plywood huts with interesting names to draw your attention (not to mention your money) to them. You don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home or office because the majority of them deliver! For those people who don’t drink coffee there is the ever expanding world of tea as well! |
| Another beverage that has created its own niche recently is a tea-based concoction commonly referred to as Chai. I really love this stuff! However, it takes all kinds of tastes in this world to make it interesting. |
| During my last visit to my parents in Florida, I decided to prepare some Chai for my Dad. My father and I have pretty similar tastes so I assumed he would become a Chai lover, too. Wrong! After a few attempts to lure his palate I had to give up. When I would ask what beverage he would like he would reply with, “Anything but your perfumed coffee!” |
| Some offices in Juneau, as an added perk (no pun intended) have cappuccino/espresso machines installed in their break rooms to keep their employees happy. Some enterprising entrepreneurs make a living by delivering coffee by bicycles. They carry portable espresso machines (and all of the coffee necessities) with them. Just give them a ring on their cell phones and pretty soon they will be at your desk steaming you a fresh mug of your favorite beverage! |
| This career does not appeal to me since I don’t like riding a bike in the rain and snow, but I assure you that the recipients of this freshly-brewed coffee appreciate it. |
| For all of us who can’t or won’t part with the $3-$10 per mug of these speciality drinks, there are options available to warm up our tummies. We can purchase all of these treats in various forms from our favorite stores. From Costco to Kaladi Brothers to the Internet. From whole beans (and leaves) to instant powders we can do it all ourselves at a much lower cost. |
| A friend of mine “stuffs” her own tea bags! Let me tell you, she has come up with some pretty interesting (but not always appealing) flavor combinations. I just don’t have the patience for that. Do any of you? |
| Here are a couple of good recipes for making your own “instant” flavored coffees. By the way, I am in search of a Chai recipe, instant if possible. If you have one please be kind and share it with me and the rest of the WSEN readers. For those of us who have to watch our caffeine intake these recipes can be made with decaf as well! |
| Swiss Mocha |
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1 cup instant coffee |
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1 cup sugar |
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2 cups nonfat dry milk |
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4 teaspoons cocoa powder |
| Blend until powdered. Put 2 rounded teaspoonfuls into a cup, fill with boiling water and stir. Sit back and enjoy! |
| Café Orange Cappuccino |
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1 cup instant coffee |
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1 ½ cup sugar |
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2 cups nonfat dry milk |
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1 teaspoon dry orange peel |
| Blend in blender or food processor until powdered. To serve, put 2 rounded teaspoonfuls in a cup. Fill with boiling water and serve. |
| Café Vienna |
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1 cup instant coffee |
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1 1/3 cup sugar |
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1 1/3 cup nonfat dry milk |
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1 teaspoon cinnamon |
| Blend a little at a time in a blender until powdered. You won’t need more than 10 seconds. You can use a food processor for this, too. In that case, you can dump the whole mixture in at one time. To serve, put 2 rounded teaspoonfuls in a cup, fill with boiling water and stir. |
| Italian Mocha Espresso |
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½ cup instant coffee |
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½ cup sugar |
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2 1/4 cup nonfat dry milk |
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1/4 cup cocoa powder |
| Blend until powdered. Put 2 rounded teaspoonfuls into a cup, fill with hot water and stir. |
| Sugar Twin may be substituted for sugar (16 teaspoons equals 1 cup). Also, Sanka or other coffee may be used in place of the regular coffee. |
| If keeping your children or grandchildren amused during inclement weather is difficult try this “edible” play dough recipe for indoor entertainment! |
| Edible Play Dough |
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1 cup creamy peanut butter |
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1 cup corn syrup |
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1 1/4 cup powdered sugar |
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1 ½ cup powdered milk |
| Mix all ingredients together. Roll into a “snake” and hand to the child; wrap “snake” around child’s wrist, show how to make ball, pancakes, etc. |
| Great winter activity when it is too cold for mud pies. Encourages fine motor skills and exploring with touch, taste and smell. It tastes good and has lots of protein. |
| Hint: Save this activity for a snack before bath time for easy clean-up. A highchair or other confined space keeps the mess in one place. |
| See you next issue! |