Oh! Those French are on to Something!!

I bought a French Coffee Press. It looked cool at the store and looks cool on my counter.

If you are unfamiliar, a French Coffee press is a small glass pitcher that has a tight fitting lid with plunger-like strainer. When pressed down into the brew, the strainer pushes the ground coffee to the bottom of the decanter and effectively separates the grounds from the coffee.

I followed the directions and put a few tablespoons of coffee in the press, added boiling water and waited, letting the mixture steep. After pressing, I tasted the output.

Coffee made this way is intense—almost espresso. There is an element in the aroma and in the aftertaste that is not present in the drip-method of brewing. I am looking forward to combining this coffee with a dessert (cheesecake, perhaps).

One lesson learned. When you finish the cup and see a little bit of coffee still in the press, don’t pour it into your cup and drink it. I found that out the hard way. You see, the awful stuff you don’t want has time to come out of the grounds during that long steep time. What you will taste is twice as bad as the worst truck-stop style, reheated, day-old, instant coffee you ever had.

Speedy Breakfast

I read an article in a Men’s Health magazine that praised oatmeal. The article mentioned that the humble oat was a great source of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber, studies show, helps keep the bad cholesterol at bay.

Breakfast is important to me. I have always respected the need to start the day off with a meal instead of a little juice and a danish. I can indulge that my choice is superior because the experts agree: good breakfasts are important to a healthy lifestyle.

The choices I was making for my weekday breakfasts were poor. I was eating Breakfast Pockets. A product of Nestle Foods that are not terrible, but are not the best choice. They are convenient, that was the hook for me. My other selection was a breakfast burrito from a local convenience store (it was a terrible, tasty indulgence—pure evil, I don’t even want to know what the $1.89 foil wrapper had in it!!!).

The article in MH specified a steel cut oatmeal from Ireland (McCann’s Irish Oats). I have had this brand before and it is quite good. However, it simmers for 30 minutes. So, I went for the rolled and toasted, faster cooking, Quaker Instant Oats.

Weekday mornings, I am eating a large bowl of oatmeal with a few teaspoons of raspberry jam or grape jelly stirred in. It is a three-minute prep that can be easily executed while half-asleep and a nice warm meal to start the day. You budget-minded readers would see that it is pretty cheap eats too!

I suppose one could cook the steel-cut oats and reserve them for daily consumption (MH suggests this), but I have not discovered the need for that much work.

Have a great breakfast!!!!
MITK

Pine Tavern, Bend OR

I was off on vacation recently and discovered a very nice restaurant. Let me mention it to you.

The restaurant, The Pine Tavern, is in Bend, Oregon. It is downtown in the “old” part of Bend. The atmosphere is charming, the staff delightful and the food is full of flavor. If you get to Bend and do not eat at The Pine Tavern, you are missing a chance to relish in the beauty of a superb, non-chain restaurant.

My selection was off the Specials List. It was steelhead salmon with an apricot marmalade. The whole menu was great and that choice was difficult.

Let me recommend this tip: Call the restaurant, (541) 382-5581, and arrange for a window seat (or dine al fresco). The view of mirror pond is outstanding.

Fast and Delicious!!

I bought a one-pot mix at the supermarket a few weeks ago. It was from Zatarain’s. I have had favorable success with Zatarain’s rice products. They work well when the Cajun flavor is what a meal needs.

This was the French Market Vegetables and Rice Mix. I had half of a rotisserie chicken (left over from two days before) that I cubed to add to the mix. Some french bread was added to the meal to round it out. It was very tasty. Total time involved was 32 minutes.

My plan is to keep a box or two in the pantry. It’s great for getting out of a tight spot.

Refreshment and a Little Buzz!!

Oh My, Where have I been?!

As you can see, I have been quite absent from submitting lately. My bad. Life got busy and the blog took the backseat.

Here is some new stuff.

With summer coming near, I think about all the great veggie dishes that can be done. I am partial to steaming vegetables as it beats boiling and is quick. I have read lots of good stuff on grilling vegetables too—I will be trying some of that this summer too.

But, summer always brings the heat. The heat will create a thirst. Here is a fast cure for that thirst.

Pineapple Cosmo
1 ½ ounces Captain Morgan’s Parrot Bay Pineapple Flavored Rum
1 ½ ounces cranberry juice
1 squeeze of lime

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with lime slice and enjoy!!