Top of the mornin' to ya, coffee champions! With St. Patrick's Day and March Madness converging in a whirlwind of excitement, it's time to don our jerseys and shamrocks and raise a toast with a mug of Irish coffee in hand. As the brackets heat up and buzzer-beaters abound, we're embracing the madness with a dash of Irish charm and a splash of whiskey (just don't tell the leprechauns). But amidst the hoopla and celebrations, let's not forget the real MVP – coffee! This Café Session we're diving deeper into the world of coffee and its surprising roles beyond the mug. Ever wondered how coffee can elevate your culinary game in the kitchen? Or perhaps pondered what theme song best suits our beloved caffeinated companion? Well, grab your lucky charms, settle in, and let's unravel these mysteries together over a steaming cuppa. March Madness may be all about the brackets, but Café Sessions are all about the brews!
if coffee had a theme song, what would it be?
If coffee were to have its own theme song, it would likely be a departure from the typical tunes you hear in your local coffee haunt. While streaming "coffee" might lead you to a playlist of soothing coffee house vibes - soft rock, jazz instrumentals, and folk tunes, I feel the theme song of coffee itself would probably be a lot more dynamic, echoing the effects of a good cup of joe - keeping you alert, focused, and energized, rather than just a mere diuretic!
That said, I’m imagining the roaring sounds of an 80's hair band, like Twisted Sister's "I Wanna Rock." Yes, I know this song came out before I was born, but it was during the era when musicians actually made music videos for their songs, and you would go home to watch some TRL. I remember watching the music video for that song and seeing Dee Snider spinning like the Tasmanian Devil, belting out "I wanna rock!"? Well, swap out "rock" with whatever task you're diving into, and it fits like a glove. "I wanna code!" or "I wanna type!" Coffee gives you that kick you need to seize the day, so its theme song has to be as lively and vibrant as that first sip.
how does coffee help in the kitchen other than brewing a pot to keep you awake?
Coffee is more than just your morning pick-me-up! It has so many uses you may never have even heard of. For example, did you know that coffee grounds can also revitalize your skincare routine? Add some coffee grounds to your homemade soap for a natural exfoliant that leaves your skin feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Bonus, it smells great – or like coffee which is the same thing.
But you asked about other ways to use coffee in the kitchen, so let's dive deeper into the culinary realm! Recently, I’ve seen a ton of videos where coffee grounds are used in food preparation to enhance the flavors of the dish. I’ve seen people use it like a spice to add a little coffee flavor to a marinade, and I’ve seen people add a shot of espresso to their Coca-Cola to give it an extra kick. But the really popular thing right now is to use coffee grounds as a dry rub for meat dishes! Doing this infuses whatever meat you’re cooking with a rich, earthy flavor that'll have everyone coming back for seconds. Plus, the caffeine in coffee actually helps tenderize the meat, ensuring each bite is as tender as can be.
Check out this receipt for a great coffee dry rub!
But that's not all! When you're craving something sweet but don't want to overindulge in chocolate, finely ground coffee can come to your rescue. Its similar consistency to cacao intensifies the chocolate flavor without overwhelming your taste buds or your stomach. So, the next time you’re cooking up a chocolate dessert, try adding in a little less of the cocoa, and replacing that with some grounds! It's like having your cake and eating it too - with a caffeinated twist!
