Earthly Eating

The majority of all caffeine consumed worldwide comes from coffee. Originating in Ethiopia in the ninth century, coffee soon traveled around the world, becoming popular in the Colonies during the Revolutionary War due to its demand as a replacement for British tea.

Coffee mainly is consumed as a beverage and can be presented in a variety of ways. Drip-brewed, percolated or French-press style can all be served with or without the traditional additions of milk, cream and sugar. Many popular coffee drinks are based on espresso, which is made by forcing very hot, though not boiling, pressurized water through ground coffee, resulting in a stronger flavor and a higher caffeine content. Some variations of this include caffè content. Some variations of this include caffè latte, which combines espresso with steamed milk; cappuccino, which includes equal parts of espresso and milk froth, and caffè macchiato, which is espresso with a dollop of hot, foamed milk on top.

Coffee also is commonly used in desserts, benefiting from the delightful, nutty, butter flavor that is perfectly balanced with sweet tastes such as chocolate and cream.

Chocolate Espresso Cake
Makes 16 servings

4 1/2 ounces cocoa
2 tbs. espresso powder
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
3 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. sugar
4 eggs
2 tbs. vanilla extract
2 1/2 cup water

1. In a medium sauce pan, bring water to a boil. Add espresso powder and cocoa. Stir to dissolve.

2. In a separate bowl, mix all-purpose flour, wheat flour, baking soda and sea salt.

3. In another large bowl, add eggs while whipping, then slowly add hot chocolate mixture to eggs.

4. Next, add flour mixture to the batter and mix until smooth. Batter will be loose, don’t over mix.

5. Pour batter into two lined 9-inch round pans and bake 325°F until firm-about 25 minutes. Let cool completely and top with Chocolate Espresso Glaze.

Chocolate Espresso Glaze:

13 ounces silken tofu
2 ounces Dutch-processed cocoa
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 tbs. espresso powder

In a mixing bowl, add all ingredients for glaze. Mix well until smooth. Spread evenly over top of cake and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Garnish with candied oranges, mixed berries and/or a mint sprig. Refrigerate and left over glaze. (Source: Skin 2007)
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Earthly Eating Recipe

Sweet and Saucy Chicken Drummettes
Serves 4 (each having 4 drummettes each)

Combine barbecue sauce, dressing and jam in a large bowl. Add chicken; toss to evenly coat. Return chicken to the baking pan. Bake an additional 15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

Happy Eating!