TURKISH COFFEE......CONJURES UP A SICKLY SWEET SYRUP IN MOST PEOPLES MINDS, AND TO BE FAIR IT CAN BE IN SOME OF THE COFFEE HOUSES OF THE MIDDLE EAST. HOWEVER I RECENTLY CAME ACROSS A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT VERSION OF THIS COFFEE DELICACY.
I had gone to lunch with some friends in Downtown Cairo and popped in to a cofffe bar for lunch. As soon as I entered, the aroma of the coffee beans rustic smell sailed across the room and permeated my senses. It was heady! I am not a huge coffee drinker, prefering juices or mint tea, but the smell of the beans was certainly overiding and created a warm feeling within.
Now Turkish coffee is an aquired taste as it is strong and tends to be quiet syrupy ( to me) and you usually get a grainy effect through the coffee.Turkish coffee is a method of preparing unfiltered coffee; Roasted and then finely ground coffee beans are simmered (not boiled) in a pot (cezve), optionally with sugar, and served in a small cup, where the grounds are allowed to settle. At present, it is found in Indonesia, Eastern Europe, North Africa, the Caucasus, the Balkans, and Middle East- (Wikipedia)
Today my friends introduced me to TURKISH DELIGHT ( not the chocolate) - a blend of ground coffee beans, added spices and coconut milk. Elsham, our waiter, explained in his best Arab-ish ( my word -cross between English and Arabic) that its "good energy, make you strong and no sleep" - mmm not so good, I like my sleep and I certainly don't want to be still buzzing at 4am !! However on deeper conversation with another English friend she explained that its an Energy Booster , if taken in the morning it takes you through the day with out the come down from normal coffee. While straight coffee can cause stomach irritability, jitters, adding a few spices to it can help it to replenish you, wake you up, and ward off any negative side effects. This recipe will be easy on your stomach, and will give you a healthy jolt of energy to keep you going all day!
SO HOW TO GET THE RECIPE - BY STEALTH?!
Actually no, Elsham told me what was in it and roughly through, Arab-ish, teaspoons, cups and coffeebeans and lots of 'charade' type actions - here is the recipe. THIS IS A COLD DRINK , BUT YOU CAN RE-WARM GENTLY ..
TURKISH DELIGHT COFFEE - ENERGY DRINK
THIS IS FOR 1 WEEKS SUPPLY -
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
4 cups roasted coffee ( already grounded) or herbal coffee or turkish coffee
10 dates (pitted)
1-2 drops vanilla essence - more if you want, make to your taste
2 cups coconut milk
*Optional - I've added protein powder to this -vanilla hemp 1/2 teaspoon
HOW TO MAKE
Make up the coffee with the spices added
let cool down
Put the cool coffee, coconut milk, dates and in a high speed blender until smooth. ( add hemp powder if you have)
Pour the blend into a large pitcher and let it cool down - refrigerate.
Enjoy each morning to wake you up, energize you and keep you feeling satisfied, with out the crash.
HAVE A NICE DAY :)
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