Pressing onward...

See what I did here?

 

I can't tell y'all how many years I've had this French press coffee makeer. My mama gave it to me, and I have always used it as a cute decorative item. Sad, I know... I'm on like my fourth day of nursing a cold and wanting to sleep. all. day. but there are many, many things I need to do in this house, and I need the energy to make a dent in things.

So it's a French press kind of day. 

Y'all, it's not that hard, I promise. I wish I'd taken pictures as I went, but I hadn't had caffeine yet. But here's the gist of it:

1. Measure out about 8 Tbsp of coffee into the bottom of your nice, clean French press. You can use already ground, or grind your own beans. I myself was too lazy to pull out the grinder this morning. 

2. Get a pot of water boiling. I realized as I was starting that I don't have a teapot  o_O  so I literally used a saucepan on the stove. Worked fine.  

3. Pour enough water to cover the coffee grounds and fill the press halfway. Don't do anything except let this sit for a minute (I set my timer because I'm easily distracted). 

4. After the minute has passed, GIVE THE COFFEE MIXTURE A FEW GENTLE STIRS. This will ensure that nothing got stuck on the bottom and that everything is mixed equitably. It also gives your coffee this dreamy light brown creamy layer on top. 

5. Fill the container with the rest of the hot water, or to the top. 

6. Put the top of your French press on (it should be all smoothed together at this point) and press the handle downward in a single smooth motion. The mesh section will filter the grounds and push them to the bottom, if done properly. Push gently yet firmly, until the mesh filter has nowhere to go and is resting on the coffee grounds. 

7. Add cream and/or sugar, or not. Your move, there. Do, however, ENJOY. ☕️

#1 Post ;)

Okay, y'all (AKA my imaginary friends who read this), I'm excited today! 

A few years ago, I was involved in a group called the Daring Bakers.  They began in 2006 as a handful of people who wanted to expand their baking expertise by doing monthly challenges.  I was involved with the D.B.'s in 2008-2009 with another blog, but life happened and a LAWT of things have changed in those years. 

Now that stuff is rather settled on a personal level, and I have a new kitchen with a lot more space, I had the desire to hook back up with the group!  I found out that a lot of things have changed with the Daring Bakers, too.  Ten years and a large number of people later, they have changed to the Daring Kitchen, but they still do monthly challenges. 

And over the weekend, I got an email saying that I was activated to go onto their website and check in to see what the October challenge is!  :D It's posted on the first of every month, but I can't tell you what it is yet....  Members have to keep it under wraps until the 27th of each month, and can do their reveal post on that day or up to a week after (well, in order to be an Active Member). 

All I can tell you is that I'll definitely have a challenge on at least one aspect of it, but I'm looking forward to flexing my culinary muscles again.  And I can't wait to be able to show you in T minus 24 days and counting...! 

And if you like a baking challenge, check out www.thedaringkitchen.com -- you can see all the recipes they've done from the beginning, and sign up to participate beginning with next month's challenge!