Chicory Coffee

Cleaned and ground chicory roots add a chocolate flavor to traditional coffee. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Chicory Coffee 

It was a staple during World War II when coffee beans were not available. I used to assume chicory coffee would be something campers would make when cooking out in the woods. Now chicory coffee is offered in some upscale coffee bars and as a specialty brew.

We can all make chicory coffee at home with a few precautions about where we collect the plants, which are herbs and wonderful pollinator plants.

Chicory Coffee Recipe

Courtesy of Lee Allen Peterson’s  Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants

Harvest chicory from a chemical free area. Wash; dry roots.

Roast in oven until dark brown and brittle. Grind as you would coffee beans. 

Use roughly 1 ½ tsps. ground chicory root for every cup of water.

I had my first taste of chicory coffee when I was in New Orleans where I was told beignets go hand in hand with a cup of chicory coffee.  Who was I to argue?

For more tips on gardening, beekeeping, cooking and easy home decor, subscribe to my weekly Garden Notes.

Charlotte

Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe

Best homemade hot cocoa for a snowy winter day. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe

It's cold, really cold. Snow is still falling. Perfect time for a great drink like a cup of homemade hot cocoa.

Look for the Special Dark chocolate, usually available only around the holidays. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

As in many things in life, the difference is the kind of chocolate you use. I stock up on Hershey’s Unsweetened Dark Chocolate around the holidays, when it’s usually the only time of the year when I can find it.

There are other chocolate options but in general, the better the chocolate the better the hot cocoa.

My first batch of homemade hot cocoa mix being tested. It passed inspection with flying colors.

The first recipe I found was pretty basic and had none of the rich texture one gets from buying hot cocoa mix in fancy containers.

After some research, I found this recipe from Alton Brown that includes a secret ingredient that makes all of the difference - cayenne pepper flakes.

I have now made this recipe a couple of times, once for gifts and the second time to have a supply for myself. 

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix Ingredients (for 5 cups of dry mix)

• 2 cups powdered sugar

• 1 cup cocoa (Dutch-process preferred); Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate is another option.

• 2 1/2 cups powdered milk

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 2 teaspoons cornstarch

• optional - 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or more to taste

• optional - add baking chips like butterscotch or mint to the top

To serve, start with 2 tablespoons per 8 ounces of hot water. Mix a couple ounces of hot water in mix first, then add hot water to taste.

To mix well, I will measure the mix and water in a blender and give it a whirl.

You can add other things like toffee bits, candy cane crumbs, honey or candy baking chips to the mix. If you like a little variety, try spices such as cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice.

Simply whisk the ingredients together.

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix Gift Idea

You can give it as a gift all on its own, or pair it with other yummy treats. Arrange it in a gift basket with a mug all on its own with the recipe. You can also add cookies.

A canning jar is perfect for packaging edible gifts like hot cocoa mix although my preference is interesting glass jars with tight lids. Use a colorful ribbon and a gift tag with instructions.

Although I tend to see these kinds of recipes at Christmas, it's a nice gift idea for Valentine's Day, too and for any fall and winter birthdays. Or as a gift for yourself.

Homemade hot chocolate is perfect for a snowy day with marshmallows. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

When I get ready for winter snow storms, hot chocolate and marshmallows are a favorite treat!

Charlotte

Chicory Coffee

Cleaned and ground chicory roots add a chocolate flavor to traditional coffee. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Chicory Coffee 

It was a staple during World War II when coffee beans were not available. I used to assume chicory coffee would be something campers would make when cooking out in the woods. Now chicory coffee is offered in some upscale coffee bars and as a specialty brew.

We can all make chicory coffee at home with a few precautions about where we collect the plants, which are herbs and wonderful pollinator plants.

Chicory Coffee Recipe

Courtesy of Lee Allen Peterson’s  Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants

Harvest chicory from a chemical free area. Wash; dry roots.

Roast in oven until dark brown and brittle. Grind as you would coffee beans. 

Use roughly 1 ½ tsps. ground chicory root for every cup of water.

I had my first taste of chicory coffee when I was in New Orleans where I was told beignets go hand in hand with a cup of chicory coffee.  Who was I to argue?

Charlotte

Watermelon Juice Recipe

Fresh blended cold watermelon into juice form is the taste of summer. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Watermelon Juice Recipe

What does summer mean to you - summer sports games, traveling, reading? If you want to make something summer refreshing that is unusual and easy, make watermelon juice.

A popular offering in Brazil along beaches, watermelon juice is an easy and fun way to enjoy a naturally-sweet refreshing summer drink.

To make, remove the watermelon pulp in easy to manage sizes. I use a melon baller to core my watermelons, that gives me the option to easily add other fruits for a quick fruit salad as well as make watermelon juice.

Cold watermelon pieces and a blender is all it takes. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Don’t forget to taste test your watermelon, you want something that has a nice flavor to it and you can better decide what else to add.

Once cored, place the watermelon pieces in a blender. If your watermelon is too sweet, add a dash of lemon juice.

If you like to eat your watermelon with salt, add a dash of salt.

If you want a cold watermelon juice, add ice.

Blend.

The shredded watermelon pulp will rise to the top but not have any body to it. It will give the watermelon juice drink a frothy top and a clear juice bottom.

Add a sprig of fresh spearmint to finish off the drink. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

To serve, I add a spring of fresh spearmint from my garden. You can also use other herbs to taste; peppermint and lemon balm would also work.

Enjoy and happy summer!

Charlotte

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

Best homemade hot cocoa for a snowy winter day. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Homemade Hot Cocoa Recipe

It's cold, really cold. Snow is still falling. Perfect time for a great drink like a cup of homemade hot cocoa.

Look for the Special Dark chocolate, usually available only around the holidays. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

As in many things in life, the difference is the kind of chocolate you use. I stock up on Hershey’s Unsweetened Dark Chocolate around the holidays, when it’s usually the only time of the year when I can find it.

There are other chocolate options but in general, the better the chocolate the better the hot cocoa.

My first batch of homemade hot cocoa mix being tested. It passed inspection with flying colors.

The first recipe I found was pretty basic and had none of the rich texture one gets from buying hot cocoa mix in fancy containers.

After some research, I found this recipe from Alton Brown that includes a secret ingredient that makes all of the difference - cayenne pepper flakes.

I have now made this recipe a couple of times, once for gifts and the second time to have a supply for myself. 

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix Ingredients (for 5 cups of dry mix)

• 2 cups powdered sugar

• 1 cup cocoa (Dutch-process preferred); Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate is another option.

• 2 1/2 cups powdered milk

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 2 teaspoons cornstarch

• optional - 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or more to taste

• optional - add baking chips like butterscotch or mint to the top

To serve, start with 2 tablespoons per 8 ounces of hot water. Mix a couple ounces of hot water in mix first, then add hot water to taste.

To mix well, I will measure the mix and water in a blender and give it a whirl.

You can add other things like toffee bits, candy cane crumbs, honey or candy baking chips to the mix. If you like a little variety, try spices such as cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice.

Simply whisk the ingredients together.

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix Gift Idea

You can give it as a gift all on its own, or pair it with other yummy treats. Arrange it in a gift basket with a mug all on its own with the recipe. You can also add cookies.

A canning jar is perfect for packaging edible gifts like hot cocoa mix although my preference is interesting glass jars with tight lids. Use a colorful ribbon and a gift tag with instructions.

Although I tend to see these kinds of recipes at Christmas, it's a nice gift idea for Valentine's Day, too and for any fall and winter birthdays. Or as a gift for yourself.

Homemade hot chocolate is perfect for a snowy day with marshmallows. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

When I get ready for winter snow storms, hot chocolate and marshmallows are a favorite treat!

Charlotte

Spearmint Water

I came across spearmint water by mistake.

I had saved some spearmint sprigs in a jar in the refrigerator for a friend's garden. When she was delayed picking up the spearmint sprigs, I happened to taste the water and found it wonderfully refreshing.

Pick spearmint early in the morning; add to water and refrigerate. By noon, you'll have delicious, refreshing water.

Pour it into a plastic bottle to take with you. No sugar or sweetener required, drink as is!

Charlotte