It’s time for iced coffee. I have all sorts of food and beverage rules for myself. Drinking iced coffee comes with rules. I can only drink it in summer, post Memorial Day. I must have a straw, the cuter the better. I don’t want whipped cream floating on top. I really am full of idiosyncrasies.
Most of the recipes on-line make huge quantities. I don’t have storage for those quantities. So, I start with ½ pound of coffee beans. I only use Starbucks whole beans, preferably Sumatra. I like to grind them myself in my handy KitchenAid Coffee Grinder. I go for a very coarse grind, slightly above a medium. This makes a huge difference when it comes to water absorption.
Put the beans in a large bowl. Add 4 quarts water and give it a good stir. Let this sit on the counter overnight, stirring occasionally.
The next day I get out my handy dandy strainer and line it with cheese cloth or an old t-shirt. I run the coffee water mixture through the strainer into a clean bowl, trying to get as much of the coffee grinds out as I can. I then transfer it to a large pitcher and store it in the refrigerator.
To make an iced coffee, I start with a large glass, preferably 20 ounces or so. Snob alert: I put in an ounce of whole milk for me and an ounce of heavy cream for G. And yes, I do measure it out in a jigger. If you like it sweeter like G and I do, now’s the time to add sugar or Splenda or whatever. Give it a good stir. Add at least half a glass of ice. Next, 4 to 8 ounces or so of the coffee mixture. Time for another good stir. I serve this with a straw, just because I can. Viola! Your very own iced coffee. You just saved yourself $5.00. Be sure and tell people what a coffee snob you are and how involved the process was and they will appreciate their beverage even more. People are funny that way.
*****from the Recipe Box:
I like my coffee on the strong side, so adjust yours accordingly.
Last week, we had a 70 degree day, a 2 inches of hail day and enough rain to consider building an ark day. Hello summer in the Pacific NW!
I have a grandson who told me I was judgmental; he was right.
and remember: There are two rules in life: 1) Never give out all the information and 2)
Big kiss, Lynn
From the Recipe Box 