Leftover Coffee becomes Fabulous Granita - Simple Saturday

There's a wonderful food movement brewing that's all about using plants, meats and resources to their full extent. Personally, I grew up with a mom that didn't waste anything. As a single mom, she couldn't afford to throw things out, so re-purposing was just an every day necessity. I, organically think like that and its one of the reasons I love Simple Saturday ideas like this:

Coffee Granita w/Chipotle Cinnamon Cream

Obviously, you can use fresh brewed coffee or espresso for this treat, but it does serve as a great way to use up the coffee you over-brewed instead of tossing it down the drain. Coffee that has been sitting for a while can get bitter, so sweetening with a touch of agave, sugar or honey is advised. I wouldn't use coffee that is more than a few hours brewed.

RECIPE: Coffee Granita (aka: Italian Ice)

Brewed coffee or espresso
2 tbls of honey, agave or sugar for every 1 cup of brewed coffee

Heat or reheat the coffee and stir in the sugar to dissolve (you want it to taste a little stronger and sweeter than just drinking coffee). Carefully pour the coffee into a shallow baking pan . You want the coffee to be less than an inch deep.
Put the pan in the freezer and every 1/2 hour, remove and use a fork to scrape the icy coffee into crystals, then return to the freezer.
When serving, scoop into a glass and top with prepared cream. Serve immediately.
*this makes a tasty treat, dessert, a between courses icy palate cleanser, or a finish to a rich meal.

RECIPE: Chipotle Cinnamon Cream

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tsp powdered sugar
pinch of chipotle chili powder
pinch of cinnamon
*optional - tiny dash of fresh ground nutmeg

Stir the chili powder and cinnamon into the teaspoon of powdered sugar. Whip the cream til thick and add the spicy powdered sugar. Continue whipping the cream to a thick, but not too firm consistency. Keep chilled. Place a small dollop on each Coffee Granita just before serving.

Having Coffee Granita on hand in the freezer is so easy, and everyone loves when you bring it out. It always looks like so much more than it is, and who doesn't like the fun of icy treats melting on your tongue. My mom will be proud of you.

Nutella Cocktails (Three Ways) for WORLD NUTELLA DAY!

"We are the worllllld, We love Nutella" Everybody sing!

It's WORLD NUTELLA DAY!

All over the internet today, there will be Nutella inspired goodies created and Blogged and Facebooked and Tweeted and Flash video'd for the sharing. In celebration of this sweet, nutty day I've taken Nutella into "adults only" land and created not just one Nutella Cocktail, but THREE NUTELLA INEBRIANTS:Here's a fun quip (from Wikipedia) about the history of the cocktail. According to the May 13, 1806, edition of the Balance and Columbian Repository, a publication in Hudson, NY in which an answer was provided to the question, "What is a cocktail?" It replied:

“Cocktail is a stimulating liquor composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters — it is vulgarly called a bittered sling and is supposed to be an excellent electioneering potion, inasmuch as it renders the heart stout and bold, at the same time that it fuddles the head. It is said, also to be of great use to a Democratic candidate: because a person, having swallowed a glass of it, is ready to swallow anything else.”

When it comes to drinks, I'm the "do you have something with fruit juice or sugar in it?" kinda gal, but my husband is a "Martini - Belvedere, straight up, dry, a little dirty with extra olives" kinda guy. I take a swig of his martini when I need to clear my sinuses. These Nutella spirits covered it all.

Nutella Espresso Cordial w/Raspberry Vodka

With a pastry brush, paint the Cordial glasses with Nutella (this can be done ahead of the party also).


Then pour in a little raspberry vodka to taste. Lastly, pour in espresso to fill and drizzle with cream.

Nutella Vanilla-tini

Warm 1/2 cup Nutella and a shot of Frangelico in a saucepan on low, stirring until Nutella is melted and hold off the heat. Using a clean napkin, rub the rim of the Martini glass with water. Then dip the edges of the glass into a shallow bowl with a half and half mixture of crystal sugar and grated chocolate. With the glass upright, carefully pour in a shot of the Nutella syrup, followed by 3 shots of Vanilla Stoli that has been "shaken over ice".

Nutella Baileys con Caffe

Warm 1/2 cup of Nutella in a sauce pan with 2 cups of dark brewed coffee. Pour shot of Baileys into a handled cup, fill with Nutella/Caffe, top with Nutella Whipped Cream (made by whipping 1 cup of chilled heavy whipping cream to a soft fluff, then add 1 Tbls. of Nutella and continue to whip until incorporated.)

Tomorrow, you can return to making Nutella ice cream and crepes, but for one night -- The Nutella is all ours...and the world's! Happy World Nutella Day!

Quote from my husband,"I really like being your taste-tester today!"

The 4th Annual World Nutella Day was the delicious idea of:
Ms Adventures In Italy and Bleeding Espresso, and I'm thankful!