It's that time of year again, when parents trek to the stadium to watch their kids march up and down the gridiron.
Before the next game, brew up a batch of spiced coffee to share.
It will cast a warm and friendly spell when the sun goes down on the bleachers.
Start with a Fresh Pot of Gourmet Coffee Make a whole pot of your favorite gourmet coffee, using either whole beans you grind yourself, or pre-ground.
Don't skimp on the beans, either.
Your taste buds are a little tired at the end of long day, and will appreciate a slightly stronger blend.
While the coffee is brewing, get out your thermos and fill it with boiling water.
Preheating your thermos this way will keep your coffee hot much longer than if you poured it into a cold container.
Pour out the hot water just before you add the coffee, and seal it quickly.
Add Some Spice to That Gourmet Coffee Brew While some purists swear by the cream and sugar only approach, it never hurts to get a little creative.
Try these different ideas: * For a Mediterranean style brew, add a tablespoon of orange zest and some crushed cinnamon sticks to the coffee grounds before brewing.
The blending of these rich flavors with the coffee will create an unbelievably yummy aroma.
* If you like your gourmet coffee on the sweeter side, mix together brown sugar with ground spices like allspice, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon.
Add the spice mixture to the coffee with cream.
Deliciously warm and satisfying, it just may draw a crowd.
* Get a little exotic with your gourmet coffee.
Before brewing, add a few crushed fennel seeds and cinnamon sticks to your ground beans.
Brew as usual, and add sugar and cream to taste.
The secret in getting a good blend in your spiced gourmet coffee is to use coarsely ground spices mixed directly into the grounds before brewing.
This gives the flavors a chance to thoroughly blend during the brewing process.
And the aroma...
well, it's absolutely amazing.
You may want to play with variations in sugar, as each spice you add will change the balance a bit.
Whatever recipe you try, be sure to bring some extra cups so you can share with friends.
You'll enjoy the game, and stay warm and happy inside no matter what the weather.