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Vietnamese-Style Coffee on a Stick

YumSugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 11:15:31 -0700

Over the long weekend I finally got around to experimenting with my new popsicle mold. The final result was perfect for the hot Summer months and a coffee lover's dream, a coffee popsicle! I used Vietnamese-style coffee - a simple concoction of sweetened condensed milk and strong coffee, traditionally served over ice - as my inspiration. These frozen delights were cool, refreshing, and oh so delicious. Packed with a caffeine punch, these popsicles are super simple to make. The hardest part is waiting for them to freeze!

This popsicle recipe can easily be altered to suit any coffee taste so feel free to add vanilla, mocha, or chocolate. To learn how to freeze your favorite coffee beverage, please read more.

Vietnamese-Style Coffee Popsicles
Original recipe

Ingredients

1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 3/4 cup water
1/4 cup freshly ground espresso coffee

Directions
1. Brew the coffee to a strong robust flavor. Using a French press, it takes approximately 10 minutes. I love French press but any other coffee brewing method would also work.

2. Pour the sweetened condensed milk into a separate bowl.
3. Slowly pour the hot coffee into the bowl with the sweetened condense milk. Stir.
4. Chill coffee and sweetened condensed milk mixture in the refrigerator until cool.
5. Strain the coffee, if needed.

6. Fill popsicle forms and place in freezer.

7. Once frozen, pop out of the form and enjoy!

Makes 4 popsicles.

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Absolutely Gorgeous Vietnamese Coffee Cupcakes

partysugar — Wed, 30 May 2007 15:58:31 -0700

When I was searching for a Vietnamese inspired dessert I stumbled across the most amazing little cupcakes. I know you may be cupcaked out, but I just can't get enough of these sweet treats. Don't be overwhelmed by all of the steps in this recipe, it's actually quite simple if you take it one step at a time and remember that the filling will eventually be covered by the frosting. Vietnamese coffee is a mixture of super strong coffee and condensed milk. The coffee takes the place of your typical cake batter liquid for a distinctive, yet delicious, cupcake. This is delightful for guests and divine for your family so get the recipe for these Vietnamese cupcakes, just read more

Vietnamese Coffee Cupcakes
From Cupcake Bakeshop

For Vietnamese Coffee Cupcakes:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup strong brewed Vietnamese coffee
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon coffee grounds

Preheat oven to 305°.
Beat butter on high until soft, about 30 seconds.
Add sugar. Beat on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Add eggs one at a time, beat for 30 seconds between each.
Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
Measure out coffee and milk together.
Add about a fourth of the flour to the butter/sugar mixture and beat to combine.
Add about one third the coffee/milk mixture and beat until combined. Be careful when adding the coffee/milk mixture to the batter. If you add it too quickly the mixture will look curdled. Add small amounts and beat well to incorporate.
Repeat above, alternating flour and coffee and ending with the flour mixture.
Fold in the teaspoon of coffee grounds.
Scoop into cupcake papers about half to three-quarters full (depending on whether you want flat or domed cupcakes. Note that these cupcakes will shrink slightly when they cool).
Bake for 22-25 minutes until a cake tester comes out clean.

Sweetened Condensed Milk Pudding Filling:
2 teaspoons gelatin
3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk

Sprinkle the gelatin over a 1/4 cup of water and let sit for 5 minutes.
In a small pan over medium heat, heat the sweetened condensed milk until warm.
Add the gelatin and stir over heat until the gelatin melts.
Transfer mixture to a bowl set over a pan of ice water. Stir constantly until the mixture thickens. It will get very thick and might clump if you stop stirring.

Whipped Cream Frosting:
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons sugar

Whisk cream on high speed until soft peaks form.
Add sugar (more or less depending on your taste) and whip until thick.

To Assemble:

Using a small pairing knife, cut off the top of the cupcake in the shape of a cone. Flip the top over and cut off the cone.
Fill the cavity with a teaspoon or so of sweetened condensed milk pudding.
Replace top.
Top with swirls or dollops of lightly sweetened whipped cream.
Dust with finely ground coffee.

Makes 24 cupcakes.

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Yummy Links - From Date Bars to Coffee

YumSugar — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 13:58:11 -0800

Have you seen these date bars? Reporter Sadie Stein goes on a hunt to figure out where they come from. - Serious Eats
If my earlier post about pho made you want to learn more, check out this site dedicated to the Vietnamese soup. - Pho-king
Chowhound is a forum for people to talk about food and dining, but it turns out that sometimes those posts get deleted. The folks at Eater are doing their best to publish banned posts, including bad restaurant reviews. - Eater

If all microwaved cakes taste as awesome as this one looks, I might be okay with the whole idea. (and fyi pudding is synonymous for dessert)- The Passionate Cook
How is it that I've never had a pork burger before? I'm going to have to remedy that soon. - Simply Recipes
Apparently the folks at Consumer Reports have found that the coffee at McDonald's is better than the coffee at Starbucks. - Single Serve Espresso
Man, I thought I could eat... check out this 95 pound lady eat 20 pounds in one sitting - GiggleSugar

Algorithm for Perfect Pho

YumSugar — Wed, 30 May 2007 08:47:32 -0700

One of my favorite places for pho is Pho Y #1 in San Jose. The pho there is pretty great and the entire place smells amazingly of basil. However my favorite part of the experience is the menu. On the back of the menu there is an algorithm of pho service. I snagged a picture last time I was there, click on the picture for a larger view, and if you're having a hard time reading it, here's what it says:

Algorithm Of Pho Service
The Health-Concious Choice!

Chef Block
1. Start
2. Prepare & Cook Bouillon for 8 hours - Beef steak, beef bones, water and special spices
3. Steam Rice Noodle - Best brand, approved by the US Customs & Health Dept
4. Slice Raw or Well Done Fresh Beef Steak - Approved by USDA in the market
5. Serve the above in a bowl - May be yours first, second, or third bowl ordered
6. Prepare side dish of fresh vegetable - Available seasonal

To see the rest, read more

Customer Block
7. See Menu - Choose your item number
8. Look at Your Bowl! - A good bowl of PHO should stimulate all your senses
9. Add spices, black pepper, chili and hoisin sauce - according to your taste
10. Mix the ingredients - Use chopsticks, a soup spoon, and/or a fork to eat PHO
11. Squeeze a piece of juicy lime yet? - To arouse the flavor of PHO

If your answer is no then:
12. Do it now - go back to step 11

If your answer is yes then:
13. Enjoy! - Relish until the last spoon

14. Do You Want More?

If your answer is yes then:
15. Please order again - go back to step 7

If your answer is no then:
16. French coffee and/or dessert is recommended - Make your choice
17. End - Please welcome back again and again!

A courtesy of Pho Y #1 Noodle Soup for your enjoyment of the most popular and traditional Vietnamese national dish.

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