Morning Coffee

I make my coffee on the stove top. My friend from university (Ann) married a fellow from Croatia and they now live in Whitehorse, Yukon. Ante (Ann’s husband) taught me how to make this coffee. I think, however, it’s all in the routine of making the coffee and drinking it that makes it so pleasurable.

When I lived in Healdsburg, I bought my coffee at the local coffee house: The Flying Goat. Now, I’m in Petaluma, I buy my coffee at Deaf Dog. Quite honestly, I prefer coffee from The Flying Goat although, I can’t tell you a specific reason why. Maybe, maybe, it’s because the people at the Flying Goat look a bit more hygienic or something. I buy a kilogram of coffee and I ask them to grind it really fine. Ante says to grind it as fine as talcum powder. I noticed this time, my coffee isn’t ground as fine as I need it to be and Ante’s right. It needs to be fine–talcum powder fine.

I have a little stainless steel pot with a long handle. If I fill the pot up with water, to a particular point, add two scoops of my talcum-powder-fine coffee, I get a good two cups from it. So that’s what I do. I fill it up and add two scoops of coffee.

Now, here’s the tricky part. Turn on a burner–I am lucky enough to have gas burners (immediately hot, immediately not). Bring the coffee to a boil. You have to watch though. As soon as the coffee boils, it over flows. The key is not letting it overflow, but to boil at the brink for about one minute. Then settle for one minute. Then boil again for one minute. Then take it off the burner and let everything settle. Let it settle some more while you are getting the ice cream ready. Yes. Ice cream in the morning. It’s so decadent.

I love French vanilla, but on the odd time, I might have mint flavoured. You decide. I think if you like ice cream, you could probably use whatever you like the most that compliments the coffee flavour. I put a small scoop and a bit in the bottom of my coffee mug. Then I pour the coffee (grounds and all) over the ice cream. The grounds settle to the bottom so you don’t end up drinking them. And, if you do, well–it’s added texture. Textured coffee. Yum.

Now, here is the very important part, take your mug of coffee outside and sit on your balcony, porch, patio, front steps or where ever your outside space is. Drink your coffee and watch your world start their day. When your first mug is done, go back inside and get your second cup. Repeat.

Mmmm…mmm…

And, if by any chance you are planning a trip to Whitehorse, Yukon, you can stop by Ann and Ante’s La Bicicletta Bed and Breakfast to try out the real recipe yourself.