Ja cię kocham…

I woke up this morning to a dreary, rainy day that was simply begging me to be lazy.  No problem, Lazy Sunday,  I will listen to you.

Lazy Sundays can be tough because there is nothing on the itinerary forcing me to wake up, shower, and get moving and for some reason I always feel as if there is something that I could do that would alleviate the stress during the week.  Should I do laundry?  How about pick a room to clean?  Why must I insist on being productive on a perfectly good Lazy Sunday?!  Let’s just sit at the kitchen table, looking out the sliding glass door with a steaming cup of coffee and a good book.  Sounds good, huh?

Instead of changing the sheets and mopping the floor, I am going to whip up a very simple and sophisticated mocha that immediately whisks me away to my favorite little corner cafe with budding flowers and early morning chatter.  Maybe I’ll make pancakes, too.   Or home fries.  I’m going to see where my motivation leads me (or doesn’t lead me).  For now, I’m just going to sip my mocha and enjoy a morning filled with nothing to do.

Toasted Almond Mocha

Source: Claire Robinson of 5 Ingredient Fix
Serves 4

Ingredients:

8 ounces sliced almonds
4 cups milk
4 tablespoons honey
4 shots espresso or 1 cup very strong coffee
4 tablespoons good quality cocoa powder

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the almonds on a sheet tray in 1 even layer and toast in the oven until fragrant and light golden, about 7 minutes.

Put the toasted almonds and milk in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until steaming and hot, but not boiling, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the honey and stir until incorporated, then strain through a fine mesh strainer.

In a warm mug or heatproof glass, mix an espresso shot or 1/4 cup coffee with 1 tablespoon cocoa powder and then top with the toasted almond-infused milk. Repeat with remaining espresso, cocoa and hot milk.

Aren’t fall flavors fun?!  The aromas are so comforting and just make everything smell like home.  Our household is a huge fan of warmed apple cider in the crock pot.  We are fortunate enough to have wineries very close to our home and we like to pick out their spiced apple cider and warm it in the crock pot.  Now THAT’S a winner!

This is a non-alcoholic beverage, but you could very easily add your liquor of choice (spiced rum, vodka…etc) while making this.  I chose not to add liquor because being at my ripe old age of 27, I tend to have trouble sleeping when I have a night cap.  I like to save those drinks for the weekend when I can sleep in a little.   There is nothing worse than being wide awake at 2am when you have to work in the morning.  *Sigh*

Try this fall sipper out!  You use basic ingredients that you most likely already have, and if you don’t, it’ll cost you pennies.  You’ll kids will love this, too (sans alcohol, of course)!

Mulled Cranberry Sipper

Serves 4

Ingredients:

2 cups cranberry juice (if you have unsweetened juice, please add pure maple syrup to taste to sweeten it up!)
juice of one orange (or a 1/4 cup orange juice)
2 cinnamon sticks
2 orange peels
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon

Directions:

Mix all ingredients into a small saucepan and warm on medium-low heat.  Stir a few times while warming.  Serve immediately.

After spending my free time “oooing and ahhing” over the recipes and food blogs that others have created, I have decided to invest my time in creating my own.  I find myself cooking and baking quite often, but I rarely save the recipes for future use.   Well enough is enough!  It’s time to keep track of what I make, and this is the perfect outlet!  So let’s give it a try.

One thing that is a “must know” about me is that I adore coffee.  I walk around pretty much the entire day with a cup of joe in my hands.  Nothing excites me more than brewing a fresh pot of coffee in the morning.  The aroma arouses my senses allowing me to prepare for the day ahead of me.

Without further ado… my FIRST post…

Hot Chocolate Latte with Chai Spice

Ingredients:

8 oz. hot skim milk
1/2 – 1 package hot chocolate mix
1 shot espresso
Light whipped cream for topping
Chai Spice Blend (optional)

Directions:

Whisk milk and hot chocolate mix until smooth.  Add espresso shot and top with whipped cream.  Sprinkle with Chai Spice and enjoy your fancy beverage!