Have You Ever Tried an Egg Cream?

When I was little my mom would make egg creams. I never really liked them as a kid, but now that I am an adult with more refined tastes I have developed an appreciation for them.
Apparently in order to make an authentic egg cream, Fox's U-Bet Chocolate Syrup , must be used. I looked for the authentic syrup at a few grocery stores in my area and I finally came across it at a local grocery store, Harmons. If you really want make your egg cream with the authentic syrup and you can't find it in your area you can purchase it online.  However, I do think any chocolate syrup you find will work just fine. If you would like to learn more about the history of the egg cream you can do so here.

Egg Cream 
1/4 cup chocolate syrup
3/4 seltzer water (or club soda)
1/2 cup milk, preferable whole or 2%

Pour the chocolate syrup into a 12 ounce glass. Add the milk and fill the rest of the way with seltzer water. Stir and enjoy.
I have seen many different ways to make an egg cream. This is just the way I like them, but feel free to experiment to find the perfect blend for you.
To make your egg cream into an adult beverage try adding a shot of chocolate or coffee liquor.

Strawberry and Banana Smoothie

After a week filled with rich sweets I am ready for something that does not contain butter or chocolate.
I like to have this smoothie for breakfast along side scrambled eggs topped with cheddar cheese wrapped in a warm tortilla.

For this smoothie you will need...

1 Cup vanilla yogurt

1/2 Cup milk 

2 Frozen bananas, (I find it easier to slice and peel them before freezing)

8 Strawberries (plus 2 for garnish, if you like)

Put all of the ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth.

Makes 2 smoothies

Coffee for Your Valentine

About a year ago, our coffee maker started making some funky tasting coffee. I tried to remedy this by cleaning out the coffee maker, cleaning out the grinder, and buying a fresh new bag of beans, but nothing worked. So D and I decided to try a french press. The coffee was delicious. So now D and I only make french press coffee. If you would like to make you own french press coffee here is what you do...

For a 32 ounce french press, boil 4 1/2 cups of water (you want a little extra just to be sure there will be enough). Grind between 8 and 10 heaping tablespoons of whole beans (depending on how strong you like you coffee) for 5 seconds, the grounds will be coarse. We use a blade coffee grinder, if you have something else you may have to adjust the time, or just have your coffee ground for you at Starbucks, (I am sure other places will grind it for you too, but D and I are Starbucks fans so that is where we always get our coffee). Put the grounds in the french press and then pour in 4 cups of boiling water. Grab a spoon and stir the grounds and water together. Now put the top of the french press on but don't push down yet. Let sit for 5 minutes then press down. Pour coffee immediately before the particle have time to settle, (the particles are what makes french press coffee taste so rich and creamy).

To turn you coffee into a mocha...
In a small sauce pan heat 8 ounces of milk over medium heat, making sure it doesn't burn. Once the milk is good and hot add 2 ounces of good quality chopped milk chocolate. Stir until chocolate has melted. In a 16 ounce mug, pour in 8 ounces of coffee and fill the rest of the way with the milk chocolate mixture, stir together and top with freshly whipped cream.

To make freshly whipped cream...
In the bowl of an electric mixer pour in a half pint of whipping cream and beat. While beating add 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of vanilla and 2 tablespoon of powdered sugar. Beat until fluffy, (be careful not to over beat or you will end up with butter).

Variations:
To make a raspberry mocha add 1 1/2 tablespoons of raspberry syrup to the mug before you pour in the coffee.
To make a super raspberry mocha add 2 teaspoons of raspberry syrup to the whipped cream.