The post 3 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Espresso Machine appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Use a Scale
Always measure ground coffee for your espresso shots using a precise digital scale. Keep in mind that professional baristas use grams to be accurate and that’s the best way to get consistently good coffee every single time
Get The Right Equipment
The espresso machines can get expensive, but it’s not the only thing you need to buy. Even the priciest machine is not complete without a cleaning solution and a brush. A tamping mat, even the most basic one, will protect your counter and your tamper.
Always Use Fresh Beans
Make it a habit to always use fresh beans as they impact the taste of coffee the most. Once roasted, beans are considered fresh for several days, and you can extend this slightly by using vacuum containers to store them. If you store them properly, they can stay fresh for up to a month, but it’s a good idea to get smaller quantities that you’ll drink faster.
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]]>The post 3 Tasty and Healthy Juices to Try appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Apple, Raspberry, and Ginger
This one is ideal for when you want a refreshing sweet kick. The tart raspberry is a classic pairing with sweet, juicy apple, and the addition of ginger gives this a firey twang. Simply peel and chop some ginger and some apple, and add to your juicer with some raspberries.
Carrot, Spinach, and Pear
This tasty juice is packed with veg and is lower in sugar than the others, but isn’t any less satisfying. The mild sweetness of the carrot works great with the creamy sweetness of the pear, and the spinach adds a savory depth as well as a great color. Peel and chop the carrot and pear and add to the juicer with a few handfuls of spinach.
Pineapple, Mango, and Avocado
This tropical-tasting juice will have you feeling revived. The exotic tastes of pineapple and mango will remind you of a summer beach trip, and the addition of avocado adds a delicious creamy taste and creates a lovely thickness. Peel, prepare, destone, and chop all the fruits and add to your juicer.
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]]>The post 4 Cocktails Everyone Should Know How to Make appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Martini
The iconic cocktail that has stood the test of time, the martini is still one of the most beloved beverages that you can make simply by mixing gin or vodka with dry vermouth. This is a classic recipe but there are also many variations you can try to jazz up a classic martini.
Manhattan
Mix two parts whiskey, one part sweet vermouth, and bitters to make the world-famous Manhattan cocktail. This drink is traditionally garnished with an orange peel and a cherry but you can be creative and garnish how you like.
Gin & Tonic
Mixing this cocktail is super easy and all the ingredients you need are already listed in the name. Mix gin a tonic, add plenty of ice, and garnish with lime or lemon wedge, or basil leaves.
Margarita
The margarita is one of the most popular cocktails that’s easy to prepare at home using only tequila, lime juice, and ice.
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]]>The post How to Make the Quickest Ice Coffee on the Planet appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Coffee and Sugar First
Whether you’re making instant or brewed coffee doesn’t really make a difference. If it’s brewed, add only a small espresso shot into your mug. If it’s instant, put in a scoop of coffee grounds, following it with 1/4 cup of hot water. Afterwards, add sugar to taste.
Add Ice
Now’s the time to add the ice to your coffee. Make sure to be generous with the ice you add, because it’s going to melt fairly quickly in the hot coffee that’s already in the cup.
Add Milk
Now, all you have to do is fill the rest of your cup with milk, oat milk, almond milk, soy milk, or whatever milk floats your boat. Stir generously and you’ve got yourself a five-minute cup of delicious ice coffee!
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]]>The post Make Your Own Grapefruit Shandy! appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Ingredients:
- 3 parts pilsner beer
- 1 part fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice
- Grapefruit slices (for garnish)
- Tall pilsner glass
Instructions:
Start off by choosing a quality pilsner beer for the recipe. You’ll want to pick one of these beers since they have a light, non-hoppy body and a bit of sweetness that will counteract the bitterness of the grapefruit juice.
Pour your beer into a pitcher and then squeeze the grapefruit juice that you’ll need from a fresh, ripe grapefruit. Add the juice to the pitcher along with the beer and stir until they are completely mixed. Place in your refrigerator to chill to around 35-38 degrees F.
Pour into a tall pilsner glass and serve ice-cold! Enjoy!
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]]>The post The Real Culprit Behind Your Dieting Troubles appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Hiding in Plain Sight
The truth is that many people put so much emphasis on cutting sugar and fat out of their food that they forget about the excessive amount of sugar they’re getting from their drinks. Sometimes, there are even drinks that we think are healthy but are actually not.
Such as Fruit Juices
Fruit juices like orange or apple juice is a great example of something that seems healthy but isn’t always. There are many fruit juice brands that load up their product with sugar, to the point where you’re loading up with it, and as a result, your sugar levels are much higher than you thought.
Tea and Coffee
On their own, tea and coffee are just fine. But if you’re adding a few spoonfuls of sugar, or a few drops of creamer, every time you have a cup, it’s definitely affecting your dieting goals.
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]]>The post 3 Coffee Recipes You Can Make at Home appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Iced Coffee
It’s so easy to make iced coffee at home! Make a fresh batch of coffee and let it cool down. Blend it together with some milk and sugar and pour over ice for a great start to your day or a chill weekend afternoon.
Latte
Perhaps you don’t know how to make latte art, but that’s not necessary for enjoying a great cup of latte at home. Heat some milk in a saucepan and whisk until you get foam, then pour it over freshly made coffee. Decorate with some ground coffee or cinnamon.
Mocha
If you can make a latte, you can make a mocha too. The only difference is that you add chocolate syrup to your cup before the rest of the ingredients. You can also transform an iced coffee into an iced mocha if you add chocolate syrup to the iced coffee cup!
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]]>The post Visiting Portugal as a Wine Lover appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Try Port in Porto
If you visit Portugal, you’re probably going to check out Porto anyway. Why not try some of the delicious local wines you can find in the city or just outside of it, in the famous wine region of Duoro Valley. If you have time, definitely schedule a trip and check out the shops and restaurants located there.
(@chubbychinesegirleats)Vinho Verde Route
Portugal’s Vinho Verde is the local “green wine” made of grapes that grow in the cooler part of the country. The grapes are harvested before they ripen, which gives the wine an acidic and floral finish with just a little bit of sweetness.
Try Famous Madeira
Madeira is probably the most famous wine from Portugal. It’s made in the tropical climate and comes in a range from dry to sweet. You probably know about popular Madieria wines like HM Borges, Henriques & Henriques, and J. Faria & Flihos.
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]]>The post European Wineries Are Testing Underwater Wine appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>As for the original underwater wine found after sitting in the water for nearly two centuries, the experts agree that it tastes great, has a sweet style, and bright golden color (as mentioned by WT Magazine), but can this be achieved over a shorter time period? Probably not, so underwater wine is still seen as a novelty and a way to charge premium prices. It’s understandable that the winemakers are eager to try something new since there weren’t any innovations in their industry for a long time.
One thing that makes this more difficult is the cost. Regular wine bottles can’t go deep enough to reach the dark places underwater. The process requires stainless steel drums that coat each bottle in a specific way so the glass stays intact. Remember, this is supposed to be a premium product, and packaging is an important part of the deal.
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]]>The post The Perfect Hot Chocolate appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>And what is a better fit for such a winter pass-time than a hot cup of hot chocolate? Delicious, chocolatey, deep, and comforting, hot chocolate is not only a pleasant childhood memory but a legitimate exciting drink to end the day with.
There are many ways to make hot chocolate. Some people use real chocolate, some use excellent cocoa powder and sugar, and some simply buy ready-to-use instant chocolate powder and add milk. Here is one recipe we especially like.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup high-quality milk chocolate or excellent dark chocolate
- Marshmallow
- Grated chocolate
- Whipped cream
Instructions
Boil the milk and sweet cream. After boiling, melt the chocolate into the mixture and filter.
Place marshmallows and chocolate cubes in the bottom of the cup, pour the hot chocolate over them, and garnish with whipped cream.
When your hot chocolate is all done, you can add an infinite number of toppings such as espresso, white chocolate, nougat and Nutella, cinnamon, or nutmeg, and some even add salt!
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