Did you know that in the UK, approximately 95 million cups of coffee are consumed every day (britishcoffeeassociation.org/coffee-in-the-uk/coffee-facts)? This is a testament to how coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the country. After all, coffee is versatile — giving us drinks from affogato to macchiato. It can even be used for unique recipes (movingbeans.com/blogs/compostable-coffee-pods-articles/five-incredible-coffee-recipes), like coffee milkshakes and Irish coffee.
But did you know that coffee also has its uses outside the cup?
Here are four delicious ways you can sweetly and savourly get creative with this kitchen staple.
Rice Cooker Coffee Cake
Baking a cake can be intimidating (and tiring), but if you have the right tools and ingredients, it can be convenient. In fact, you don't even need an oven — just a rice cooker. But not every rice cooker is built for versatile use, so it's important to own the multifunctional ones (weknowrice.com/tiger/best-tiger-rice-cooker). These rice cookers have installed ventilation that will let air flow through your batter, allowing the temperature to spread evenly. The result is a soft and moist rice cooker cake.
As for the prep, just mix the ingredients for a typical chocolate cake, but with an added ingredient: espresso. The coffee will greatly enhance its flavours, making chocolate taste more like chocolate. You can even include more espresso powder in the frosting for a stronger kick.
Coffee Chocolate Chip Cookies
Who can resist the crispy-chewy goodness of chocolate chip cookies?
To upgrade this classic treat, whisk in at least a tablespoon of instant coffee powder into your favourite chocolate chip cookie recipe. The concentrated coffee crystals will blend seamlessly into the batter, and when mixed with chunks of chocolate, creates an unforgettable dessert.
If you own a single convection oven (goodhousekeeping.com/uk/product-reviews/electricals/g689556/top-5-single-and-double-ovens/), it's only going to make your dessert even more delicious. This is because these ovens evenly distribute heat, which will bake your cookies consistently.
Plus, you can freeze cookie dough for up to three months, allowing you to have fresh, out-of-the-oven cookies anytime you want.
Coffee-Rubbed Steak
Coffee can be used for almost any cut of meat, accentuating the dish's flavours. The coffee grounds also tenderise the meat when it's cooked, creating a sweet and savoury crust that seals in the meat’s moisture.
So, to achieve this flavourful steak, create a "coffee rub." You can use whatever coffee beans you prefer and mix them with other spices like garlic, pepper, cayenne, cloves, and cinnamon. Coat the meat lightly with oil, and rub the coffee mixture, ensuring that the meat is evenly coated.
Make sure you have high heat on the pan and sear each side of the steak for one minute each to seal the crust. Afterward, transfer your steak to the oven and bake it for ten minutes. Allow the meat to rest properly before digging in.
Coffee-Enhanced Chilli
You might find the idea of coffee in your chilli surprising, but coffee and meat share an earthy flavour. So, when it is combined with the nuttiness of cumin and heat from the chilli powder, the dish will produce layers of umami goodness, with hints of sweetness and spiciness.
Just mix in your meat with spices, beans, and brewed coffee, and allow them to simmer on their own. Be careful not to overcook it, though, so stir occasionally!
Popular, tasty, and versatile: coffee is truly the common man’s drink. But with the recipes above, you can turn a plain cuppa into a culinary gem.
exclusively written for movingbeans.com By Haven Bowens
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