Saturday, November 6, 2010

Be a barrista at home! (on the cheap!)


So I went and bought myself an espresso maker...for $20!  I absolutely love thrift stores.  I am guessing that almost everyone who registerd for wedding gifts probably registers for an espresso maker.  Most of those people probably never even made a decent latte with it, and it sat gathering dust on the counter, if it ever even made it out of the box!  Needless to say, at Goodwill, there were plenty to choose from, and the one I chose, not only had all the parts, but had the original instruction manual too!  I spent $30 for everything you see here.  $20 for the maker, and $10 for the metal pitcher and 2 little demitasse-like cups.

Espresso at home

Although I have never owned my own home machine, I am no stranger to the coffee bar.  There is one at work and I make lattes, mochas, and cappuccinos all day long.

Here are a couple of recipes for those of you who have never done it on your own:

Latte
2 ounces brewed espresso
8 ounces nondairy milk
Flavored syrup or powder, if desired

Brew the espresso according to your maker's instructions.
Add the milk to a metal frothing pitcher.
Steam the milk to about 160°F, by placing the steam nozzle just under the surface of the milk, tilting the pitcher just slightly away from you so that the nozzle is up against the side of the pitcher closest to you.
(If you are using a liquid sweetener or flavored syrup, add it to the milk before steaming.  If you are using a powder, dissolve it directly into the espresso.)
Once the milk is frothy and foamy, gently tap the pitcher on the counter top a few times, and set it aside.
Pour the espresso into your mug. (If you can brew your espresso right into the mug, do that!)
Hold the mug at an angle and slowly pour the steamed milk liquid into the cup, trying to reserve the foam, so the milk pours alongside the mug and mixes wth the espresso by flowing into and under it.
Leave about an inch of space in the top of the mug.
Top with extra foam.

Mocha
2 ounces brewed espresso
1 heaping tablespoon of your favorite hot cocoa mix
8 ounces nondairy milk

Brew the espresso according to your maker's instructions.
Add the milk to a metal frothing pitcher.
Steam the milk to about 160°F, by placing the steam nozzle just under the surface of the milk, tilting the pitcher just slightly away from you so that the nozzle is up against the side if the pitcher closest to you.
Once the milk is frothy and foamy, gently tap the pitcher on the counter top a few times, and set it aside.
Pour the espresso into your mug.
Mix the hot cocoa into the hot espresso until dissolved. 
Hold the mug at an angle and slowly pour the steamed milk liquid into the cup, trying to reserve the foam, so the milk pours alongside the mug and mixed wth the espresso by flowing into and under it.
Leave about an inch of space in the top of the mug.
Top with extra foam and sprinkle with a little extra cocoa mix.


And now I need TP for my Bunghole!

8 comments:

radioactivegan said...

Oh, man. That is an awesome score. I'm going to have to check out some thrift stores. I'm afraid I wouldn't realize if all the parts were there, though ...

vegan.in.brighton said...

Wow, what a bargain. I've been looking for an affordable coffee machine for a while now, I've got my fingers crossed I get a bargain 1/2 as good as yours.

dreaminitvegan said...

What a find! I have one and take it out every now and again.

Joni Marie Newman said...

seriously, guys, there were like 15! plus waffle makers, panini presses, stand mixers, all kinds of stuff. I will certainly do more shopping for kitchen appliances secondhand from now on!

Anonymous said...

AWESOME. One of things I miss about being a barista is the seemingly limitless drinks I could make with the fancy machine we had there. I'm inspired to check out the thrift shop for one now. Thanks!

Happy MoFo'ing!

The Kuntrageous Vegan said...

girl; you know that latte is begging for a glug of kaluha!!

Monique a.k.a. Mo said...

What? We must have craptastic thrift stores over here because I've never seen an espresso machine. Must find one. And a good waffle maker!

singerinkitchen said...

We have been ejoying coffee on the cheap as well with our espresso maker. It is SO easy to just go to Strabucks and get it there so quickly but it is JUST as quick at home. Great post!

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All recipes written by me, Joni Marie Newman, unless otherwise noted. Please feel free to refer to or link back to any of my recipes, but please ask for permission, and remember to give credit when reprinting recipes in their entirety. I do provide links to affiliate programs (such as Amazon) in which I receive a small commission for items purchased. I do not provide paid reviews. All reviews done on products or books are of my own unsolicited opinion. On occasion I may receive a book or product to review. I will note when this is the case, but rest assured, it will not affect the authenticity of my review. Thanks!--Joni