We recently purchased bagels - everything bagels - savory, toasted, chewy discs of delight. Bagels will be found in our house - once a year - maybe. In 2010 - not at all. I don't know why. It just didn't happen. Food is like that.
I'm a savory - everything bagel. Don't make me bother with a cinnamon, raisin or blueberry. I don't understand the point of it. Why not have just have a muffin instead? More calories in a muffin? Probably. More flavor in a sweet blueberry muffin - yep!
Everytime I eat a bagel and I seriously mean EVERYTIME I eat a bagel, I think back to the early nineties - walking to work on a beautiful Sunday morning; the sun peeking between the buildings; the upper west side streets that normally bustle are so quiet; glancing down 62nd to see the lush green tops of the trees in Central Park in the distance; then stopping by Melissa's deli for my scallion and cream cheese toasted everything bagel - so unbelievably good and toasted perfectly with a skyscraper of scallion cream cheese sandwiched between the toasted goodness. Ahhhhh....
Then...crossing the street to the boutique coffee shop; throw open the doors and my senses are welcomed by fresh ground coffee and rich, robust aromas drawing me in. Cappuccino, please. A wonderful, cappuccino. Not an artificially flavored, creamy, gooey latte that drowns out the rich espresso - no. A simple cappuccino. And I loved it.
After all of these years, and with so many 'breakfast sandwiches' at every fast food, deli and gas station and with their 'push button' lattes and sugar beverages from a box - UGH. My all time favorite, most indulgent breakfast on the go is a scallion and cream cheese, toasted everything bagel with a simple cappuccino.
I think...I just transported myself back in time and I might just stay for awhile.
So I ask, what is your favorite, most indulgent breakfast on the go?
Monday, May 16, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
JAVA & Co. Brews for Charity
JAVA & Co. knows the importance of giving back. Creators and husband and wife team, Brian and Jamie Knoll, decided charitable giving was the obvious choice to make a difference.
To generate awareness JAVA & Co. thinks blending the charitable causes and their product together will make a great impact. Their signature JAVA & Co. coffee infused syrups seemed like the perfect place to show their support. Of course the boutique bottled specialty syrups will be the same rich quality and showcased in the same hand packaged recyclable bottles. The charity specific bottles are available for purchase during the year to be able to generate as many donations as possible with contributions doubling during the featured charity's month. JAVA & Co. will sell the 16 ounce bottles for $16.00 with (20%) $3.20 of every purchase donated during the featured month and (10%) $1.60 of every purchase donated for every month thereafter.
JAVA & Co. has reached out to approved non-profits in order to directly donate to legitimate foundations that will put the funds raised to good use. A percentage of purchases from the Give the Gift of Life category will go toward assisting a specific cause. Each month JAVA & Co. will showcase a charity. The goal is to raise money to help their specific needs. Rather than choose just one need, the founders of JAVA & Co. would like to aid up to 12 non-profits within the next year - hoping guests will identify with at least one of the charities and help make a difference.
Give the Gift of Life and in May 2011 support the featured non-profit - Roof Top Angels - along with JAVA & Co. You’ll be doing something great for society and be able to enjoy the delicious JAVA & Co. coffee infused syrups at the same time. Flavors are available in Original, Original DARK, JAVA Nut, French Vanilla and TiRUMisu. Don’t miss out on doing something good for humanity and your taste buds too!
Please visit www.javaandco.com to view the entire collection of JAVA & Co. artisan made specialties. For additional inquiries, please contact Jamie Knoll at javaandco@live.com or via phone at (309) 361-3276.
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JAVA & Co. 303 Market Street Henry, Illinois 61537 www.javaandco.com
To generate awareness JAVA & Co. thinks blending the charitable causes and their product together will make a great impact. Their signature JAVA & Co. coffee infused syrups seemed like the perfect place to show their support. Of course the boutique bottled specialty syrups will be the same rich quality and showcased in the same hand packaged recyclable bottles. The charity specific bottles are available for purchase during the year to be able to generate as many donations as possible with contributions doubling during the featured charity's month. JAVA & Co. will sell the 16 ounce bottles for $16.00 with (20%) $3.20 of every purchase donated during the featured month and (10%) $1.60 of every purchase donated for every month thereafter.
JAVA & Co. has reached out to approved non-profits in order to directly donate to legitimate foundations that will put the funds raised to good use. A percentage of purchases from the Give the Gift of Life category will go toward assisting a specific cause. Each month JAVA & Co. will showcase a charity. The goal is to raise money to help their specific needs. Rather than choose just one need, the founders of JAVA & Co. would like to aid up to 12 non-profits within the next year - hoping guests will identify with at least one of the charities and help make a difference.
Give the Gift of Life and in May 2011 support the featured non-profit - Roof Top Angels - along with JAVA & Co. You’ll be doing something great for society and be able to enjoy the delicious JAVA & Co. coffee infused syrups at the same time. Flavors are available in Original, Original DARK, JAVA Nut, French Vanilla and TiRUMisu. Don’t miss out on doing something good for humanity and your taste buds too!
Please visit www.javaandco.com to view the entire collection of JAVA & Co. artisan made specialties. For additional inquiries, please contact Jamie Knoll at javaandco@live.com or via phone at (309) 361-3276.
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JAVA & Co. 303 Market Street Henry, Illinois 61537 www.javaandco.com
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Cocoa Shell Mulch: Friend or Foe
Spring is trying to get here with each passing day. In some areas, just when you thought it was safe to drink in the spring air - snow is in the forecast. Ahhhh, it will get here, maybe by fall.
With spring weather comes outdoor spring projects - lawn and garden for many of us. This year I was excited about utilizing Cocoa Shell Mulch. Have you heard of it? It has great color. It's recycled / upcycled / re-used cocoa bean shells for mulch. Love the idea. Love chocolate. Love the 'green' attribute. And lu-uv the aroma! As I did some quick research, I find it won't work for our home. We have two dogs - boxers. And our youngest, well, he puts anything and everything in his mouth. Danger Will Robinson...Danger....
Here are two links I found online: Cocoa Mulch FAQ Cocoa Mulch Potential Hazard to Pets
If we didn't have boxers, I would so use it - in both my garden for pathways and in my flower beds. Please be sure to share this information with your pet loving / owning friends and family members. You decide for yourself - I've got to get back to production!
Happy (almost) Spring!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Rich & Cheesy Potato Recipe
Brian and I continue to discover innovative recipe uses for our JAVA Spice. The following recipe is a fan favorite, so it's being published again - in time for Easter! If you are on a low-carb or lowfat diet, you may want to skip over this recipe. It will just make you hungry.
I initially made this for a brunch menu and served it with eggs and smoked sausage. Then later, served the potatoes with a grilled rib-eye and was again in love! The JAVA Spice adds a nice richness to the potatoes and the creaminess and cheese is unbelievable. It's very difficult to stop yourself from going back for seconds...again and again and again....I would not hesitate to serve them with a pork loin, roasted ham, rich steak or again with eggs. They are divine!
I was fortunate to have an espresso rubbed cheese from Beehive, which I used and strongly recommend. However, if you cannot find an espresso rubbed cheese, substitute a soft creamy cheese like Fontina and if you do substitute, perhaps add 1/4 tsp more JAVA Spice to the recipe. The spice is quite aromatic and flavorful, so a little will go a long way. And now, the recipe.
POTATOES ~ cheesy, creamy spiced gratin!
Ingredients:
2 Lbs. Potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
2 cups *Fontina Cheese, Grated (substitute with espresso rubbed cheese if you can get it)
Pinch Freshly ground pepper
3 T Flour
1 tsp Salt
1 cup Heavy Cream
1 cup Chicken Broth
½ tsp JAVA & Co.’s JAVA Spice
*(if you do use Fontina vs. espresso cheese, you may want to add an extra 1/4 tsp of spice)
Serve for brunch or with roasted ham, pork loins or rib eyes – delicious! This is a wonderfully rich and versatile potato dish! Be sure to read through the directions before beginning and plan ahead. The baking and resting time is approx. 2 hrs.
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a shallow 2 quart baking dish. In dish spread a layer of the potato slices, overlapping them.
2. In small bowl, combine cheese, pepper and JAVA Spice.
3. Sprinkle some of the cheese over the layer of the potato slices and continue to alternate remaining potato slices in layers with the cheese mixture, making sure you reserve enough cheese and set aside cheese for the top and final layer.
4. In separate bowl, whisk flour, salt and cream; then add broth. Pour mixture over potato layer and then top with reserved cheese mixture.
5. Cover dish tightly with foil. Bake one hour. Uncover and bake an additional 25 minutes or until top is lightly browned and thickened and potatoes are tender. Let stand minimum of 25 minutes before serving.
Be sure to visit our website and follow the links for additional recipe ideas for both our JAVA Spice and our JAVA Syrups!
Enjoy!
Jamie Knoll
Owner / Co-founder
I initially made this for a brunch menu and served it with eggs and smoked sausage. Then later, served the potatoes with a grilled rib-eye and was again in love! The JAVA Spice adds a nice richness to the potatoes and the creaminess and cheese is unbelievable. It's very difficult to stop yourself from going back for seconds...again and again and again....I would not hesitate to serve them with a pork loin, roasted ham, rich steak or again with eggs. They are divine!
I was fortunate to have an espresso rubbed cheese from Beehive, which I used and strongly recommend. However, if you cannot find an espresso rubbed cheese, substitute a soft creamy cheese like Fontina and if you do substitute, perhaps add 1/4 tsp more JAVA Spice to the recipe. The spice is quite aromatic and flavorful, so a little will go a long way. And now, the recipe.
POTATOES ~ cheesy, creamy spiced gratin!
Ingredients:
2 Lbs. Potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
2 cups *Fontina Cheese, Grated (substitute with espresso rubbed cheese if you can get it)
Pinch Freshly ground pepper
3 T Flour
1 tsp Salt
1 cup Heavy Cream
1 cup Chicken Broth
½ tsp JAVA & Co.’s JAVA Spice
*(if you do use Fontina vs. espresso cheese, you may want to add an extra 1/4 tsp of spice)
Serve for brunch or with roasted ham, pork loins or rib eyes – delicious! This is a wonderfully rich and versatile potato dish! Be sure to read through the directions before beginning and plan ahead. The baking and resting time is approx. 2 hrs.
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a shallow 2 quart baking dish. In dish spread a layer of the potato slices, overlapping them.
2. In small bowl, combine cheese, pepper and JAVA Spice.
3. Sprinkle some of the cheese over the layer of the potato slices and continue to alternate remaining potato slices in layers with the cheese mixture, making sure you reserve enough cheese and set aside cheese for the top and final layer.
4. In separate bowl, whisk flour, salt and cream; then add broth. Pour mixture over potato layer and then top with reserved cheese mixture.
5. Cover dish tightly with foil. Bake one hour. Uncover and bake an additional 25 minutes or until top is lightly browned and thickened and potatoes are tender. Let stand minimum of 25 minutes before serving.
Be sure to visit our website and follow the links for additional recipe ideas for both our JAVA Spice and our JAVA Syrups!
Enjoy!
Jamie Knoll
Owner / Co-founder
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