X - Presto! (aka Espresso)

Let's begin with the fact that it will forever drive Lilly crazy that I supposedly can't pronounce espresso (APPARENTLY there is no X in espresso, psh). But that doesn't prevent me from occasionally getting motivated enough to make some up! Above you can see i store my beans in foil in a plastic bag, I would love it if someone told me the proper way to store them? (Though google could probably tell me that, maybe I'll get motivated one day to find out). Anyways, I once read that you shouldn't grind the beans until right before you use them, so I dont :)

Look at that lovely $2 grinder from Savers! 

So the bottom part gets water, then the little holder that's designed to let the steam come up through the grinds goes on top.

And then of course it gets to the point were you can make an absolute mess with the grinds as I almost always do (it's really quite remarkable though). It all gets screwed together an atop the stove it goes to boil and steam, and make lovely sounds and smells and it brews up a nice little pot of espresso. Speaking of espresso pots I got mine for less than ten bucks at either a Marshall's/TJ Maxx/Home Goods at one point or another. It's an item that they often have, but not always, I had to be a little patient when I went looking, cause I had seen them there before, but when I wanted one they didn't have any!

For todays liquid treat I've decided to use a little bit of the vanilla and cinnamon syrups from a set my mom put in my xmas stocking as a stuffer. (fun fact: Lilly or someone else will be using that amaretto one, for some reason that's one flavor that I've just never liked much). Once the espresso was done brewing I used my little milk froth-er (a cheap goodwill purchase! god I love second hand things apparently, lol) to froth the milk a bit. Now personally I don't heat up my milk at all because I prefer cold or room temperature drinks over hot ones (unless I am cold, like if I'm out and about on a freezing day).  Also I like to slowly add in the espresso while I'm still using that little gadget in the milk, which i fell must be improper, but it's so fun that I don't even care, you know?

Well, I hope you enjoyed this little window (lesson?) into my espresso drink making habits, and as always, I'll see you next tuesday!