Shelly's Treat Your Coffee Drinking Friends Like Royalty System

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My Dad was British and he was a tea drinker. Two out of three of his children-myself included-are mostly tea drinkers. I like to think I'm carrying on the family tradition. My Mom was a coffee drinker.

As a faithful, loving child, I once set out to make my Mom some coffee. First I put the water on to boil. Then I put a teabag in the cup. In my 5 year old mind all hot drinks began with a teabag so into the cup it went.

Then I filled the little one cup Melita type coffee maker with grounds and put it on top of the cup. I poured in the hot water and patiently waited till all the water had drained through the grounds. Then I put in just the right amount of sugar and a splash of milk-I knew exactly how my Mom liked her coffee.

I remember being so excited as I served the coffee. Much to my mother's credit I think she actually choked down the tea flavored coffee. Probably because it was sweetened with a 5-year-old's earnest intent to please.

Today I'm a little better at making coffee than when I was 5. But I don't drink it too much myself. And as such don't own a regular electric drip coffee maker. What! you say? How about guests.

For my august visitors I have what I just learned is called a Moka. Who knew? Mine's lasted 15 years. As a side note-since it doesn't require electricity it's also great for camping.

Now, here's the secret to

Shelly's Treat Your
Coffee Drinking Friends
Like Royalty System:

1. Moka coffee machine
2. Cafe Bustelo or El Pico coffee
-Both come in a yellow and red can and are really inexpensive. They are ground very fine and make great coffee.
3. Milk.
4. Small whisk - this is the fun part.

So, your guest walks into the kitchen, "Would you like some coffee?"
"Why yes, thanks."
"Would you like frothed milk with that?"
"Wow-did you go to Starbucks?"

So, you fill a coffee cup about a third of the way with milk and zap it for about a minute. Then put the whisk in the cup and place the handle between your open palms. Rub your palms back and forth to make the whisk spin. Works like a top. Instant frothed milk.

Now you're ready to pour in the espresso. It took just 5 minutes on the stove. And Viola! Latte delivered.

---Never fails to delight coffee drinking guests!
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