I found a recipe for a low-fat, low joule dessert that’s embarrassingly simple to make. It’s an Espresso Sorbetto and the ingredients are espresso coffee, low fat milk and a little sugar. The recipe is at http://www.republicacoffee.com.au
The bonus is that the Republica brand of coffee is 100% Fair Trade Coffee. They guarantee that every single bean they use is Fair Trade certified, which means that the coffee farmers get a fair price for their crop and their labour. Coffee is a valuable and much traded commodity - just look on the Commodities Exchange or the Futures Exchange. Chocolate comes into the same category, so it may reassure you that you can absolve some of your guilt for indulging in these simple pleasures by buying Fair Trade. Republica’s motto is, “Doesn’t that leave a good taste in your mouth!” (TM).
I found the coffee in my local supermarket. The price compares with top of the range brands, so I’ll be doing a taste comparison over the next few days.
Their website is well worth a visit http://www.republicacoffee.com.au
Your espresso machine is just the beginning. With a little patience and some basic tools, you can really impress your guests with coffee art. Here are some simple directions to make chasing hearts. It’s up to you to choose who you want to show your art off to.
Tools
You will already have these in your kitchen. You need a small stainless steel jug, a teaspoon, a tablespoon and a metal skewer.
Brown Base
Heat a jug of milk and swirl it to get a silky texture, as you learned in the previous post. Pour the milk into the centre of a glass of coffee in a steady stream, in the same spot. The milk will disappear under the crema and leave a smooth, brown base for you to create your art on.
Chasing Hearts
Prepare a glass of coffee and add milk to make a brown base, as above. Foam some milk in a jug. Use a teaspoon to put three dots of foam on top of the brown base. Put your metal skewer about an inch deep into the crema and in one circular movement, draw it through the middle of each of the three dots. And voila! Three hearts, chasing each other around the top of your coffee.
There’s more about espresso machines at http://espressomachinecenter.com