I first enjoyed Thai Coffee while enjoying the company of my dear friend SJ while lounging around the original 519. I wasn't a big coffee drinker at the time, however, it turns out that adding sweetened condensed milk to things really gets me going.
Now, traditionally, I believe Thai Coffee is made with half-and-half or cream rather than sweetened condensed milk. More specifically, the cream is infused with the strong yet pleasing flavor of cardamom before being added to strong brewed coffee.
It is not easy to get cream in South Korea, not impossible, just not as easy as walking to the bottom of the hill.
Also, I like SJ's version better.
Smash a tablespoon or so of Cardamom pods before adding them to no more than a cup of coffee, let set for a day or so - throw in a small stick of cinnamon if you desire.
Using a French Press (or I suppose any other coffee preperatory system), brew a serving or two of Cardamom Coffee, fill a mug or glass with a touch...or more...of sweetened condensed milk, add coffee and ice if you so desire (I usually take mine hot) and enjoy a deliciously spiced cup of coffee!
Has it come up yet that I received an AeroGarden for Christmas? Well, if not, just know that it's fabulous! And being able to add fresh mint, to my lemonade concoction is 100% fabulous!
Lemonade requires 3 things: Lemons, Water, Sugar.
Making a simple syrup by heating the water and sugar is also recommended so that your lemonade is evenly sweetened. Add a few fresh leaves of Mint and you're sure to enjoy a great touch of refreshment. If you're using 'fake lemon' maybe start out with less than the recommended amount and up the anty until you have a lemonade that suits your taste...obviously, fresh lemon would make the drink that much more enjoyable.
For more exact directions and the source of my personal inspiration, head on over here to Martha Stewart's website.
This year, I did more or less the same thing...but with Pear Juice.
1 Part Pear Juice
1 Part 수정과 (soo-jeon-ggwa)
1-2 Sticks of Cinnamon
Sprinkle of Cloves (5-6)
Sliced oranges or orange peels
Heat in slow-cooker or on the stove-top. You'll convince people you're a domestic goddess because cider simply smells amazing and brings people 'home'...So they'll love you. And that's the Harrington secret to making friends and ensuring they stick around ;)
There is absolutely no reason one should avoid trying out this fabulous beverage! Even while living in South Korea where Cream Soda does not exist, we took action, made our own cream soda and I would do it again, and again, and again...because this. was. phenomenal.
Thanks to Pinterest, I came across this recipe which supported my own creation of Butterbeer.
Ingredients/Directions:
In a saucepan melt together 1 cup of Brown Sugar and 2 Tbsp. of Water (if you have a candy thermometer it should be at 240 F -- otherwise, bring it to a boil and hope for the best). Stir in 6 Tbsp. of Butter, 1/2 tsp. Salt, 1/2 tsp. Cider Vinegar, and 1/4 c. Heavy Cream, let set and reach room temperature...or not. In a bowl or tall measuring cup mix 1/2 c. Heavy Cream and 2 Tbsp. of the Brown Sugar mixture until not quite whipped cream. Split the rest of the Brown Sugar mixture between 4 glasses (or however many servings worth you desire - we did 10 small cups), fill with a bit of cream soda (nearly to the top) and spoon some whip topping onto the top before sitting down to watch Harry Potter #7 pt. 1 in anticipation for pt. 2! You'll definitely come back for more!
I have a deep and special love for Thai Tea. I made it a personal objective to drink at least 1 glass of Thai Tea everyday I was in Thailand...some day's I'd down 3 or 4. I love the sweet-creaminess of Thai Tea and want so desperately to recreate it.
One aspect of Thai Tea that is 'crucial' is the orange color. Online recipes generally suggest one of two things: a) Add Orange Food Coloring *lame* or b) Purchase Thai Tea Leaves (which is always followed by a comment regarding the difficulty of purchasing/finding Thai Tea Leaves).
But the thing is, the orange color comes from Tamarind. So one should be able to recreate Thai Tea with REAL tamarind. That's what I'm attempting to do...it's not perfect yet, but it's always been delicious so take a shot at Thai Tea with Real Tamarind.
Ingredients/Directions:
In a standard sized tea pot add about 1 Tbsp Tamarind (found in Asian/International Markets) -- best to put into a strainer or tea bag as it will not fully dissolve and will need to be strained out at some point in the process. Add 5-6 Teabags or teaspoons of plain black tea/Lipton and sugar to taste. Fill with boiling water, let set for an hour or so (this could be the part I don't have perfected...just saying) Transfer to pitcher or water jug and refrigerate. Serve with Sweetened Condensed Milk, enjoy!
Mulled wine is essentially mulled cider...but without apple juice.
Pour a bottle of red wine into a sauce pan, add a bit of brown sugar water or apple juice if you wish (but it's not necessary) throw in some sticks of cinnamon, a few whole cloves and orange slices, simmer on stovetop for 30 minutes prior to company arriving, they'll appreciate the smell and will soon appreciate the libation ^^.
I was fortunate enough to receive an eggnog recipe from a good friend...I'm not sure if it's a secret recipe or not...fortunately not many folks read this blog ^^
6 Egg yolks
6 Egg whites
~1 C. sugar
1/2 tsp salt
10 C. whole milk
3 tsp sugar
3 tsp vanilla
Beat ~1 C. sugar into egg yolks. Add salt; stir in milk. Cook over medium heat; stir often until mixture coats spoon. Cool.
Beat egg whites until foamy. Gradually add 3 tsp sugar, beating to soft peaks. Add to custard and mix thoroughly. Add vanilla. Chill 3 to 4 hours.
I definitely did not master this recipe. I enjoyed every cup of 'eggnog' I drank, but I did not succeed in creating a custard or having a thick eggnog - however, that is due to my lack of patience and direction following capabilities. I've had our friends eggnog and it's great, mine was great - so go for it! Try making your own nog...
On Thursdays, my favorite coffee shop is closed. Oddly enough, Thursdays is the day I am most likely to want a Green Tea Latte. (It's the most unfortunate of affairs). On a more fortunate of affairs note - I recently set my eyes on a container of Match Powder (I think) at the incredible price of 5, 000 won (US$5)!!!! Needless to say, the powder went from the shelf to my graocery basket in a matter of moments.
So on a Thursday when I was needing some Latte-Love, I whipped up a little latte. Some milk, some sugar and some Matcha. If you'd like a recipe to follow or give you some sense of direction - try out this one.
So, Wednesday night, we had some friends over for a night of Apples!
It began with a rather successful attempt at Apple Cider followed by an Apple Crisp to which I will soon post directions, and ended with a few good rounds of Apples to Apples. How about that for bringin' in a little Fall Tradition on the opposite side of the globe?
If you find yourself in Korea, craving Apple Cider this mix of beverages should satisfy the craving:
2 Parts Apple Juice
1 Part 수정과 (soo-jeon-ggwa)
For those living in the US, here are two Cider Options:
Chai Cider - which I was making last year about this time
Or, try your hand at making your own Soo-jeon-ggwa
Extended Shelf Life for: Strawberries and Orange Juice
If you’ve ever taken a look at The Harrington Times, perhaps you recall a summer of adventure and driving. This margarita was a direct benefit of Day 9 when Mike and I found ourselves on the Extraterrestrial Highway, stopping into the Alien Research Center where we were offered a shot of Alien Tequila. The clear response to this experience was to purchase a bottle of Alien Tequila so that 8 months later we could enjoy a tart Margarita filled with strawberries of the finest fields.
Ingredients/Directions:
In a blender, mix the following: ½ cup Alien Tequila ¼ cup Orange Juice or Orange Liqueur 1 can Limeade Concentrate 1 cup non-sweetened Strawberries, fresh or frozen Plenty of ice cubes, added 2-3 at a time, until drink is sufficiently Margarita like.
The best place to enjoy this beverage would be in a UFO of sorts with any unsuspecting extraterrestrials you can find along your way.
