Monday, January 16, 2017

Pumpkin Spice Coffee Recipe

Are the holidays your favorite time of year, for all the yummy cinnamon-infused drinks we get to enjoy?
Why limit it to the holidays?
Did you know you can make your own pumpkin spice coffee at home?
I don't know the recipe for a large pot, but in my single-cup machine (no, it's not a Keurig... I'm not that much of an addict), you simply add 1/4 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice with the grounds, then once it's brewed, load on the cream and sugar. Or even better, sweetened condensed milk!
A friend also suggested adding a dab of vanilla extract to the grounds..... Mmmm.....
All the deliciousness, at a fraction of the cost. And I'm sure much healthier than the artificial flavors and preservatives in store-bought creamers and fast food/convenience store concoctions.
Enjoy!

Friday, January 6, 2017

Mock-amole

Maybe it should be "Mock Guac"? (It's so easy, I don't feel like it deserves the designation of "real" guacamole!)
Regardless, this recipe could be a game changer.
I have an unnatural love affair with avocados. Beyond guacamole, I will eat avocados with salt and pepper and a spoon.
But add tortilla chips and.......
I'm going to need a moment.
Last night when trying to decide what to fix for supper, we realized we had all the fixin's for nachos. Tortilla chips and nachos from New Year's Eve, shredded lettuce and tomatoes from New Years at Grandma's.
Then as we were setting everything on the table I realized - I have avocados! (At $1+ EACH, I rarely indulge, but they had been on sale for 88¢.). But it was time to eat - no time for veggie chopping. But nachos without guacamole?? Sacrilege.
The thought came: They make spice packets for guacamole. Can't I do that?
Just going with what I had, I grabbed minced onion, red pepper flakes, then added salt and pepper.
Nailed it.
Maybe not quite as delicious as finely chopped onions and cilantro, but when you're just in it for the avocados, this super-simple recipe is all you need.


Super Simple Guacamole
4 avocados, peeled and mashed
1 tsp dried minced onions
1/4 tsp dried red pepper flakes
1 tsp lemon juice
salt and pepper


Mash everything together in a small bowl. Give it a hefty shake-over of salt and pepper, adding more to suit your taste.
If you have the time to let it set, the flavors come out more, and the onions soften. I didn't notice crunchy bits, but I was also eating them with tortilla chips.


Enjoy!