The 4th of July is a very important day around here.
Freedom.
Independence.
Courage.
Religious freedom.
The ability to self-govern. (Okay, we've gotten a little jaded about that... we can do better!)
Independence Day.... (the movie!!!)
1776 (the movie musical!!!)
Pageant and pomp and parade! (John Adams, 1776 CLIP FROM YOUTUBE!!!)
Is anybody there? Does anybody care?
John Adams believed in the true cause of independence... he was grumpy and single-minded and tough as nails but he believed.... when you watch this movie, you see that dedication, that focus...
"I see Americans.... I see ALL Americans free! Forevermore!!!!"
I love this.
I respect this.
It means a lot because of the noble sacrifices it took to win this freedom... a gift we should love and respect and treasure, and then pass that love on to our kids.... or to anyone's kids!
But if we're talking deliciousness, I am a Starbucks Caramel Macchiato addict. And try as I might, I could not figure out a way to layer it the way they do, but the secret is: ESPRESSO.
We went two ways. One: We used a Keurig pod and brewed it on six ounces but only used the first four ounces... the last two were sacrificial ounces!!!!
So we started with a 20 oz. cup
Fill it 2/3 full of ice cubes (not chipped)
Add 10 oz. 2% milk (or equal amounts, 5 oz. each of skim and whole)
Caramel syrup (I use Hersheys in the squeeze bottle
5 oz. espresso (cold brew recipe follows if you want some on hand)
Add milk to cup with ice.
Drizzle generously with caramel syrup. Caramel will drizzle down to bottom and some will cling to ice.
Gently pour espresso onto top of milk/ice/caramel.
It will float.
That's about the coolest thing, right?
It floats!
If the coffee is weaker, it won't float: It mixes.
Drizzle with caramel again:
Then it's not a macchiato. (I don't even know what a macchiato is, I don't really care enough to look it up, I just know that the fun layers are delicious with their mix of strong coffee, caramel threads and cold, cold milk.
My other theory is that the reason I don't get lactose intolerant is because I drink milk several times/week because I love milk.... cheese... ice cream.... whipped cream... and if you keep your system accustomed to milk, maybe no one will ever get lactose intolerant again! :)
Okay, now to the cold brew. Lacey made it. She loves me. She's amazing. This only cements her place in my heart:
COLD BREW:
4 cups water
1 1/2 cup ground coffee (I used Folger's Colombian)
Seal and let sit 8 hours.
Strain well. We used a fine mesh strainer first.... and then we went through cheesecloth.... and then chilled the remaining 3 1/4 cups of cold brew coffee. Use as you would any espresso.
WHAT???? The Red Hot sauce is PHOTO-BOMBING the espresso! That's because we made Lindi Petersen's mac and cheese yesterday for the Herne Family Reunion and needed hot sauce! Oh, that rogue sauce!!! What a show-stealer.
Well, that's it from the farm.... and this author's got some solid book writing to do because I'm knee deep in a sweet historical and loving, loving, loving it!
Until next week, friends!
I'm gonna have to try this Ruthy. I am an unsweet iced tea drinker, but every now and again, I like to indulge in something a little sweeter.
ReplyDeleteWell, I can confess to being an addict. And now that I can make it at home, I have one a day. It's like my "lunch" in a cup. Milk makes a good lunch, right??? It did when I was a baby! :)
DeleteSorry, Ruthy, but you lost me at coffee. I just can't do it. I'll stick to my tea. Even then, I don't like it mixed with anything sweet. I guess that makes me a purist.
ReplyDeleteI respect the purist in you.
DeleteAnd I hear you, I bet if there were studies done, that northerners are heavier into coffee than our southern counterparts...
And here in NY, we've got that coffee habit bad, darlin'!
I've made this before and it is so very yummy! I change a tiny bit of it up however. I freeze coffee in ice cubes so that the drink doesn't get watered down. For another iced coffee drink without all the sugar, I use coffee, coffee ice cubes, and Coffee Mate's Sugar Free Italian Sweet Cream liquid creamer. Both so delightful :))
ReplyDeleteFreezing the coffee in ice cubes is a great idea!
DeleteLacey does the frozen ice cubes, too. That's a great idea, Pat!
DeleteI'm not a coffee drinker, either, but this LOOKS delicious. I'll just enjoy the pictures!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm all for creating fabulous treats at home. Knock-offs of restaurant favorites for a smidgen of the price. :-)
I hate to do this, but I have to pop your lactose intolerance theory. I love milk, cheese, ice cream...you name it! But suddenly, about a year ago, I became lactose intolerant. I had heard it could happen to some people when they reach a *ahem* certain age.
I am devastated.
But when I look at what other people deal with, it's not a biggie.
Oh, but I miss pizza. A lot. Sometimes I go ahead and order a pizza, even though I know I'll being paying for it later... :-/
Jan, I'm crushed that my theory is TRASHED!
DeleteAy yi yi.... Okay, I'll roll with it, but let me just say that I'm glad it hasn't been an issue with me at this point... and I'll enjoy as long as it doesn't become one.
But, gosh... I thought it was a great theory!
Okay, here are a bunch of NY Yankees recreating one of my fave scenes from The Sandlot!
ReplyDeleteYankees Starring in The Sandlot! of course there's an iPage commercial first!!!
The coffee sounds wonderful, but I'm a black coffee gal without all the sweetness.
ReplyDeleteThank God for the freedom we have in America and all our forefathers who fought so hard for it.
Marilyn, amen to that. I concur completely.... And I believe we have to hang on tight, double-handed, two-fisted, because what's won in battle can be lost in complacence.
DeleteI could have used this today!! We didn't set off fireworks, but she neighbors did for the rest of us until 12:30am! We have a very gun shy dog as well so we were up late by no choice of ours! Sigh....why can't we all go to bed at 10? Does this make me old?! I drink tea most days (unsweetened), but I did go for the powder french french vanilla this morning!
ReplyDeleteKatie, my Lacey is a tea drinker... and she'd totally get you!
DeleteI think going to bed by nine is perfect. :) So clearly you're YOUNG!
And every now and then a cup of tea done chai style hits the spot, doesn't it?
Ruthy, I almost always order caramel macchiatos so will have to try this! I love them, too. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving that photo bombing hot sauce. LOL
Hot sauce has a mind of its own! Ay yi yi! ;)
DeleteMissy, this comes out perfect... now that I realize there is a distinct difference between espresso and just regular coffee. How cool that it floats??? ;)