If you are living in the United States, it’s statistically safe to say you drink a cup of coffee every day. Yes, almost 65 percent of the adult population has at least one daily cup. This shows just how popular coffee is in the U.S. So why don’t we incorporate this lovely bean into everything we consume?
There’s a growing number of people trying to do just that. Cooking with coffee isn’t just a trend, it’s a lifestyle. There are seemingly infinite applications for mixing this divine substance with food. Here are some of the best ways you can cook with coffee.
Breakfast: Coffee in Your Smoothie
Most people associate coffee with the first meal of the day. Few things are more invigorating than sipping on a fresh cup of coffee right when you wake up. But that doesn’t mean coffee has to be relegated to being strictly itself. There are many ways you can incorporate coffee into different breakfast foods.
One great way to drink coffee is in smoothie form. Smoothies can have nearly unlimited flavor profiles—so coffee can play a wide variety of roles. You can add some coffee to a green smoothie to boost a healthy morning. If you prefer something a little sweeter, coffee goes great with almond milk, yogurt or bananas. Mixing these ingredients will give you a creamy smoothie with a delightfully bold taste.
Lunch: A Quick Midday Boost
When lunchtime comes around, you might be ready to have another cup of coffee. Whether you’re at home or work, you probably won’t want to make a pot of coffee just for yourself. Plus, you might not just want a standard cup of coffee if you already had one or more cups earlier in the day.
You can overcome both of these hurdles by using liquid coffee pods. Caffè di Artisan is leading the field when it comes to this method of making coffee. These single-use pods allow coffee drinkers to make a wide variety of drinks—from lattes to espressos—in only minutes, without a machine. It’s by far the best and the most convenient way to make delicious coffee beverages. Liquid coffee pods are perfect if you want to quickly mix coffee-based flavor into a recipe such as a chipotle-coffee tofu wrap or a smoky black bean soup.
Dinner: With Coffee We Crust
There are some creative ways you can use coffee at dinner time as well. Crusts are the perfect place to add a bit of coffee. Do you like to make breaded chicken or eggplant? Spicing up the breading with a touch of coffee can take that meal to new highs. Savory pies are another place where coffee can shine at dinnertime. Coffee mixed with the buttery crust of a chicken pot pie or quiche can give these dishes a whole new spin. Soups are another place where you can use coffee for a fresh take on things. It doesn’t matter if it’s a hot or a cold soup—sweet or sour—coffee can add a unique, unexpected flavor.
Note that if you are sensitive to caffeine, it might be best to stick to decaf coffee in your recipes.
Dessert: Cold as Ice
There’s always room for coffee in dessert! Simply having a cup of coffee or espresso after a satisfying meal can really rejuvenate you. But there are so many other places to include coffee as well. Ice cream is the perfect vehicle for coffee in the desert. Coffee cuts the creamy sweetness in just the right way. Chocolate and coffee is just about the perfect combination. You can make chocolate coffee ice cream. Coconut coffee ice cream is also delicious. You can even combine all three for flavor euphoria!
Back on the subject of chocolate, you can easily mix liquid coffee pods into your recipe for making fudge or other chocolate goodies. Coffee is great in cookies and brownies. And there are myriad recipes for coffee cocktails. Try upping your dessert game even further by making an alcoholic coffee milkshake. Again, stick to decaf is you are looking to fall asleep shortly after dinner or dessert. Of course, if you are looking to pep up your guest for a late night dinner party, a caffeinated dessert is the ideal addition.
No matter the meal, there’s always room for coffee. Its unique flavor and presence can elevate a wide variety of dishes or drinks. Try introducing some of these coffee cooking ideas into your routine. Have a favorite coffee-based food or recipe? Share it with us in the comments.