Got Coffee?

If you're like me, and must have a daily cup of joe, but don't want to drop the $5 at your local Starbucks, try this:

This, my coffee drinking friends, is a french press. I think it is the best way to make your coffee at home.

 Just put thickly ground beans in the bottom, fill with hot water, let it "permeate", push the little filter down, and serve. 

A couple of hints:

- Don't let your water quite get to boiling- it makes the coffee bitter.

- Don't let the water and grounds sit for more than 3 minutes- it makes the coffee sour.

- The best place to purchase a french press is at Ross. They're usually about $5!

I am currently sitting at Jones Coffee Shop in Pasadena (Raymond and Del Mar)

It is quite the heaven for all you coffee connoisseurs out there! 

A Little Sneak Peak...

As you may know, I am venturing off to Florence for a study abroad program (27 day countdown)! I will be studying Italian cooking at the Apicius Culinary Institute. What will I be learning to cook, you ask? Here's a sneak peak:

- Egg pasta from scratch

- Gnocchi al pesto

- Tiramisu

- Italian Lasagne

Is your stomach growling yet?

Life is Beautiful...

...So sit outside, enjoy the dusk, and sip on a glass of bubbly with someone you love. Sarah and I quite enjoyed ourselves doing so this evening!

I recommend:

LaCheteau Brut Vouvray

Pick it up at TJ's- $8.99.

PS: Potato chips are a brilliant pairing to sparkling wine!

Dessert-ify Your Framboise

Instructions:

1. Buy a bottle of Raspberry Flavored Framboise Liquer (Trader Joe's has it for $5)

2. Buy a tub of Vanilla Bean ice cream. Don't buy French Vanilla- it's too sweet for the liqeur

3. Pour a generous amount of Framboise atop a helping of ice cream

4. Enjoy!

5. Repeat.

Dining out? Try....

Here are a few of my fav restaurants to visit, and item of choice. If you are ever having dinner destination mind block, give one these a whirl!

Walt's Wharf, Seal Beach--> Orange Caramelized Salmon

Open Sesame, Belmont Shore -> Fried Cauliflower (don't knock it 'till you try it! )

Sergio's, Azusa --> Carnitas Tacos

Le Creperie, Belmont Shore --> Chicken Carbonara Crepe, followed up the dessert Crepe Martinique

The Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch, Cal Poly Pomona--> The menu changes every week, but it's all student run! (chefs, managers, servers, etc..) 3 course meal for $15 at lunch!

Currently...

Reading:

The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo

Wishing:

I was back here

Planning to purchase:

A leather journal

Wondering about:

Twitter-why??

Wearing:

My new Nikes! (Thanks, Sar)

Craving:

Frozen yogurt (what else is new?)

Listening to:

Kings of Leon

Thinking about:

(Florence)