Twenty-Something and Starving

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jennifer and there are two things in this world that I cannot live without: food and writing.

Perhaps you may find this an odd combination, but there is nothing, in my opinion, more perfect than sitting down with a lovely piece of writing  and a warm, home-cooked meal.  When simultaneously indulging in the two, I can lose myself for hours at a time.

Being in college has nearly entirely deterred my ability to enjoy such indulgences. That is, of course, until now.  I have been given the opportunity to combine my two loves and it has given birth to what you are reading now. And I couldn’t be happier about it.

So where are we to begin?  Where, exactly, should this writer/reader relationship start? The beginning sounds good to me. By beginning I mean breakfast, and breakfast means coffee.

Coffee is the epitome of college in beverage form.  High school was all about Frappuccinos and Red Bull. Now that we’ve grown up a little and gotten past the energy drink phase, it’s time we call in the big guns, the real deal: coffee in its purest form.

I know some folks who would probably take it intravenously if they were capable. Even kids who don’t like the stuff still feel incomplete walking around campus without sipping from that ubiquitous paper cup with a cardboard sleeve.  But buying that paper cup filled with “liquid awake” may be a little much for the average college kid. The solution I propose? Make it yourself!

You may think that going out and spending money on a coffee maker, filters and the coffee itself isn’t worth it. But think of it this way: if you’re buying a basic cup of coffee five days a week, you’re spending over $500 a year.  If I told you that you could spend half of that and still have your coffee, too, would you believe me?
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Forget your expensive coffee makers that brew 37 cups at a time. Your best investment is a French press. No filters required and no electricity involved. It’s just takes your press, coffee and hot water. For those of you tea drinkers out there; don’t feel neglected. You can use a French press to brew loose-leaf tea, too!

As for using your French press, you’ll need to make sure your coffee is ground appropriately. A French press cannot use a typical coffee grind because it’s too fine, so I’m afraid Folgers won’t cut it. A pound of coffee beans usually will run from $6 – $15 depending on where you buy it. Wherever you buy whole bean coffee, you can request it to be ground for a French press.

Using a French press is quite simple. Put the required amount of coffee in the bottom; the required amount will vary depending on the size of your press, but the press will come with directions for brewing the perfect cup.  Then add boiling water, stir and let sit for 2 – 5 minutes depending on size and press.

Aside from drinking the perfect cup of coffee, you can use it for dessert as well! Coffee over ice cream makes a delicious Italian specialty called affogato. I came  up with the following recipe for cappuccino walnut blondies, too. They were gone as quickly as it took to brew the coffee to make them. I hope you enjoy them!

Cappuccino Walnut Blondies

2 cups dark brown sugar
¾ cup butter or vegetable oil (or a combination of the two)
3 tablespoons strong, brewed coffee
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour or 1c all purpose flour and 1c whole wheat flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°.  Prepare a 9×13 baking pan with nonstick spray.
Heat the brown sugar and butter/oil together in a small saucepan over medium low heat until the butter is melted and the brown sugar is incorporated. Remove from heat and allow to cool down to room temperature before proceeding.
Whisk in the coffee, vanilla and eggs. Set aside.
Sift together the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add the brown sugar mixture and mix thoroughly.
Mix in the walnuts and chocolate chips until just combined.
Pour mixture into prepared pan. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Affogato

Fresh brewed coffee
Vanilla ice cream
Chocolate Shavings

Literally translated, affogato means “drowned” in Italian. Essentially, you drown your ice cream in coffee for a tasty pick-me-up after dinner. Exact measurements wouldn’t serve much of a purpose here because this recipe is all to taste.  Top with chocolate shavings if desired.