Homemade Autumn Spiced Latte

It is that time of year where coats, hats and scarfs are starting to make an appearance.

With halloween just round the corner, pumpkins are popping up everywhere.  Starbucks have the autumn/winter warmers in. When you are cuddled up at home with a good book or curled up on the sofa and want something to warm you up,  the coffee shop is just that much out of reach. So making your coffee with the inspiration of the seasons is easier than you first thought.

This recipe can be made with what you already have in your spice rack.

Recette

Autumn Spice Mix
3 tablespoons ground Cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground Ginger
2 teaspoons Nutmeg
1 and half ground Allspice
1 and half ground Clove


Latte 
One dose of strong coffee
Half a teaspoon of autumn spice mix
2 dollops of honey
125ml of milk


Methode 

For the spice mix, put all the spices in a small bowl and mix throughly all together. This can be stored in a small jar, so it is ready to use.

I used our Nespresso coffee machine and Aeroccino machine which warms the milk. But never fear for that you can also make this with out a coffee machine.

Start by putting the honey and spice mix together at the bottom of the mug and then proceed to warm the milk up in the Aeroccino with the whisk so that you have light and fluffy milk. If you do not have the Aeroccino machine warm the milk up on the stove and whisk throughly so get the desired affect. Pour the milk in to your mug then add the coffee last to get that barista effect. I used the Fortisso Lungo which is the deep green capsule.

Now just sit back, light your pumpkin and put a scary film and enjoy your seasonal latte in the comfort of your home.

Bonne Degestation

Mauricettes a la Tonton

Mauricette is a soft bread that can be used as a roll for sandwiches, the side of a plate of charcuterie or even as a little snack on its own. Now you wonder what is so special about it. Its another speciality from Alsace, its very similar to the bretzel (pretzel in english).

Tonton had a new recipe that he wanted to try, as it was one that did not require to long to wait for the dough to raise, and as a bonus it was a recipe for the Thermomix. As the weather was a bit sour we spent the day cooking and baking different recipes.

La Recette.

Dough: 
225g Water
500g bread flour
1 packet of instant yeast (we used Levure Boulangere)
10g Sugar
40g oil
1 egg
1 tsp salt

Water Bath:
1L water
1 tsp salt
40g baking soda

Finish: 
1 egg
topping, salt, sesame seeds, poppy seeds....

 

Methode 

First start with the dough. Put the water in bowl of the Thermomic and heat at 37°C for 2 minutes, the speed set at 2. Add the remaining ingredients of the dough mixture, set the timer to 2 min 30, make sure your bowl is locked and then press the kneading button. Once all mixed together, pop the dough in to a container and leave to rest at room temperature for 35 minutes to an hour.  Meanwhile preheat your oven to 190°C or 180°C for fan ovens.

Once your dough has risen, put the dough on a floured surface and flatten it with the palm of your hand to roughly 5cm thick. We only roughly had it at the height of 1cm and a half. Now you can divide the dough as you like, we used different cutters to get various shapes.

Prepare the water-bath by boiling the with the salt and the baking soda together. With a slotted spoon briefly dip each bun into the boiling water and out again. Place each bun on the baking tray that is lined with baking parchment or a silicon sheet. Then beat the egg and then brush the egg on each bun. To make the buns darker you can use just egg yolk. Sprinkle you desired topping, indent the top of each bun with a sharp knife two or three times. Pop them in to the oven for 15min, keep an eye on them as they can brown quite quickly.

While choosing the cutters we had a slight family debate as my Tonton choose a clover and two different crescent moon. My recommendation was a heart, (obviously) but he said it was too Christmasy, and we just burst out laughing and asked that moons aren't, he simply replied, its a talking point. 

Fresh from the oven.

These little treats can be made in to a bigger bun, that could be used to make a sandwich. The smaller size is lovely for l'aperitif. You can make them in their traditional shape that of a oval bun or a knot with sea salt sprinkled over it. 

We used these little light mauricettes to go along side my Tonton Foie Gras. Which is always a lovely treat.

Bon Appétit. 

Wolfberger Cocktails

This year we were invited to enjoy a glass of wine at the newly refurbished stand of Wolfberger at the Foire aux Vins. We go each year but this year we didn't have to visit the two different stands as they fused them together. 

While my mum and auntie enjoyed a glass of wine from the region, a Muscat and a Pinot Blanc. Dulcie and I ventured on to the newly revisited cocktail bar, and was introduced to the barman and he made us samples of different cocktails using the Néo from Wolfberger. 

With the barman, we were talking about different types of cocktails and the ways we make them. He made two different types of cocktails for us to try, one sweet and the other bitter. Both were nice, the bitter one was very refreshing. The sweet one won us both over, especially as it had one of my favourite fruit in it, passionfruit. He made us a version of the "Pornstar". 

Now this recipe is a perfect one for us girlies sweet and with a kick, a lovely excuse to organise a get together as the summer comes to an end but not the good times. You could also use this as an apéritif a simple way to impress your guests.

La Recette 

2.5 cl Passionfruit Juice

1.5cl Néo Maracuja (passion fruit)

1 squeeze of fresh lime

3.5cl Vanilla Vodka

Methode 

Fill your shaker up with ice and pour all the ingredients in, pop the lid on and shake it, shake what your mumma gave you. 

Pour in to your martini shaped glass, you can garnish your drink with a slice of fresh passionfruit or even just the fruit mixed in to your glass. Now just to enjoy your drink and your company.

Bonne Dégustation 

Fashion Tea For Two

A very belated blog post. Us girls all love dressing up, cake and fashion and this is where they all meet. 

We all love the typical English high tea. Finger sandwiches, scones and a selection of cake, what’s not to love? But what happens when tea meet fashion.

Paul Smith Tea Pot

Where cake and fashion meet.

Imagine a fine selection of loose tea and herbal infusions, from typical Earl Grey to some new blends of Pear Caramel. The ‘Well Being’ had a variety of fruity teas, Amazing Apple, Cheeky Cherry Spice and Caramel Indulgence.

Biscuits, cakes and mousses with inspiration taken from this autumn/winter collection. The Fendi sell out ankle boot and Marc Jacobs’ showstopper blazer, both as eye catching biscuits.

Fendi, Boot - Marc Jacobs, Coat

This is the perfect outing for girls with the love of fashion and cake brought together in one place.

To finish of the day, we got given a little take away box with a few goodies to take home with you. This was such a lovely afternoon out and perfect for an outing with a twist. 

Bon Appétit.