COFFEE AND CHILI CRUSTED LAMB CHOPS

I have been curious about using coffee as a crust for a while now and, while I normally enjoy drinking it, I was unsure how it would come out cooking with it. I opted to use it in a spicy mixture, so I decided to turn up the heat. The result was incredible, the coffee and chilis worked well together to balance out the flavor without taking away from the tenderness of the lamb. This is definitely something I look forward to cooking often and the spice rub works well with other meat also. Try yours today!

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

2 ½ pounds of lamb chops

1 tablespoon of dark, freshly ground coffee

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon of oregano

1 teaspoon of garlic powder

1 teaspoon of Guajillo chili powder

1 teaspoon of ancho chile powder

1 teaspoon of red chili flakes

1 teaspoon of cayenne

1 teaspoon of black pepper

Olive oil

2 tablespoons of butter

3 cloves of garlic

A couple of sprigs of fresh rosemary

Instructions:

  1. In a small bowl, mix all the spices and coffee. Drizzle some olive oil over on top of the lamb chops and coat with the spice rub
  1. In a large frying pan, heat up 2 tablespoons of olive oil and melt the butter over a medium flame. Cook the lamb chops for 6-7 minutes on each side. Before you flip the lamb chop to cook on the other side, add the garlic and rosemary to the frying pan. Using a spoon, drizzle some of the oil and juices over the lamb while it is cooking
  1. When the chops are done, transfer them onto a plate and let them rest. Spoon some more of the butter and natural juices from the pan and drizzle them over the lamb chops
  2. Serve with a side of your choice
  3. Enjoy!

Cold Brew Coffee

If you are like me, then you cannot wait to start your day with a nice, strong cup of coffee. This cold brew coffee is just the treat you were looking for. The beauty of cold brew coffee is that it varies from iced coffee in the sense that it does not have ice cubes which melt and dilute the flavor leaving a taste of just pure coffee. It can be made in advance and enjoyed throughout the week.

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Wait time: Overnight

Ingredients:

1 cup of coarse ground coffee (could be flavored)

4 cups of water

Instructions

  • Add the coffee and water in a container and put in the fridge to brew overnight
  • Using a filter, cover the bottle or container you will be transferring the coffee too. Strain the coffee
  • You are ready to enjoy the coffee. Keep refrigerated until ready to drink. Add cream and sugar or enjoy black

Coffee Amaretto Crème Brulee

creme brulee 3

Usually, when you eat creme brulee, it doesn’t necessarily have a flavor to it besides the sweetened cream it’s made with and the hardened sugar shell. For this recipe, I decided to add some flare and incorporate coffee and amaretto. Those two added ingredients make for a superb taste that take this ordinary creme and transport it out of this world.

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Cook Time: 50 Minutes

Wait Time: 3 Hours

Serves 5

Ingredients:

6 egg yolks

1 large egg

½ cup sugar

1 Tablespoon ground Turkish powder

2 cups heavy cream

¼ cup amaretto

1 teaspoon vanilla paste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees
  • In a large saucepan, combine the cream, ground coffee, amaretto and vanilla. Bring to a boil and stir until sugar and coffee are dissolved
  • In a separate bowl, whisk the sugar, yolks and egg until blended
  • Gradually stir in the crème mixture while whisking
  • In a large roasting pan, add your ramekins
  • Equally place the crème into the ramekins
  • Fill the pan with hot water until it comes halfway up the ramekins
  • Bake for 50 minutes or until the center barely moves when slightly shaken
  • Once ready, let cool down a bit and refrigerate until completely cooled off
  • after it has been cooled, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of sugar over each crème and using a torch, broil until sugar is brown and caramelized, rotating so there is an even caramelization
  • Serve and enjoy

 

Hazelnut Tiramisu

Hazelnut Tiramisu

Tiramisu is a popular coffee infused dessert enjoyed the world over. It is made by taking delicious ladyfinger cookies, soaking them in coffee, and layering them. When served, it looks similar to a dessert lasagna. Rather than using regular coffee, I opted for a hazelnut flavor to add a nutty, earthy taste to it. It’s rich, creamy, texture, will have you finishing the whole tray you make!

Prep Time: 45 Minutes

Wait Time: 3 Hours to Overnight

Ingredients:

5 egg yolks

1 cup sugar

1 cup mascarpone

1 cup black coffee

Hazelnut creamer

1 pack of ladyfingers

Instructions:

  • Using a whisk, beat the egg yolks and gradually add the sugar. Whisk until mixture smoothens out and thickens and is a yellow in color
  • Mix the mascarpone into the yolk mixture
  • Add hazelnut creamer into the coffee until desired taste
  • Dip the ladyfingers into the coffee and moisten them without making them soggy
  • Arrange 4 ladyfingers side by side on a plate. Spread the mascarpone mixture over the ladyfingers and dust lightly with cocoa powder
  • Layer 4 more on top and repeat the process
  • Refrigerate and serve chilled