How Have You Bean?
Coffee is the ultimate way to start your day. It can get your eyes open and get you in gear like nothing else. The smell alone of a pot of freshly brewed coffee will absolutely get you out of bed in the morning. One of the many things I love about Oregon are all the choices we have and when it comes to coffee, the choices are plentiful, as Oregon happens to be one of the top states for manufacturing coffee. If you have ever driven by while a roaster is at work, the smell is toasty and nutty. Each coffee bean has its own characteristics producing a cup of coffee that has a unique flavor, color and aroma. Roasted coffee beans can smell and taste fruity, floral or even chocolatey.
In my research, I came across several compelling studies that find that coffee drinkers actually live longer than non-drinkers. Coffee is loaded with antioxidants and it’s believed that those antioxidants can extend your life. If that doesn’t make you want to have a cup of coffee, nothing will.
I don’t drink coffee very often, I am usually baking or cooking with it, so when I do have a cup, I love it and wonder why I don’t drink it more. When we bake with coffee, we often can’t really taste it. It adds this imperceptible background flavor. So you might be asking, if you can’t taste the coffee, why add it? Because if you didn’t add it, you would notice that something was missing. For instance, coffee and chocolate really compliment each other. The coffee doesn’t overpower the chocolate, it just makes the chocolate flavor more pronounced. Coffee also pairs well with warm spices like cinnamon and cardamom. The best beef tenderloin I ever had was coated in a mixture of espresso powder, cocoa and cinnamon and then pan seared. It was amazing.
For this week's recipe, the coffee flavor is front and center. Affogato is an Italian classic. This to me is an adult ice cream sundae. A classic Affogato is nothing more than gelato and a shot of espresso. The word Affogato is the Italian word for drowned, which makes sense since the ice cream is drowned in espresso. Gelato and espresso are beloved on their own, so in my book, the person that thought to put them together is a genius.
I use the word recipe loosely for this week's column: there really aren’t any measurements. As people love to say nowadays, “you measure with your heart.” This recipe takes it over the top and makes it into something a little more decadent with the addition of the whipped cream and chocolate.
For presentation, it looks great served in a short glass or, if you had glass coffee cups, that would be perfect. Gelato is readily available at most grocery stores and would make for an authentic Affogato but ice cream is just as delicious. I think vanilla flavored is the way to go. The vanilla balances nicely with the espresso. When you’re making a recipe that has minimal ingredients it’s always good to get the best quality you can. Look for ice cream with a good amount of butterfat, espresso from your favorite coffee shop, freshly whipped cream or good quality already whipped cream and your favorite chocolate bar for shaving.
This treat is equal parts cool, creamy, bitter and sweet. It’s sure to make your tastebuds happy!
Affogato
A shot or two of espresso, depending on how strong you like it
1 or 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream or gelato
A dollop of whipped cream
Chocolate shavings, semi sweet works great*
Optional – finely chopped hazelnuts
To make it more adult, a splash of Baileys or Amaretto
Place the ice cream into a small glass cup.
Pour over a steaming shot or two of espresso.
Add a dollop of whipped cream.
Sprinkle chocolate shavings over the whipped cream.
Enjoy immediately. This recipe serves one.
*To make chocolate shavings, place the chocolate bar in the freezer for 10 minutes. This will make the chocolate firmer and easier to shave. After 10 minutes unwrap the bar and shave the side of the chocolate bar with a vegetable peeler.