The Perfect Cappuccino

Around this time of year, I'm a sucker for Starbucks. What can I say, their Gingerbread Latte just does something magical to me that I can't explain. And sometimes, when the cold wind is whipping at your face and you've got a pile of books to read, a normal drip coffee just ain't gonna cut it.
However, since standard coffee shops will charge you nearly $5 for a decent-sized specialty drink, this habit can't be funded for long (unless your lattes are replacing your meals, which I don't recommend). 
Fortunately, there's a solution. You can make your own lattes and cappuccinos at home.
Now, I know what you're thinking. You're terrified that you'll mess it up, or you don't have the right equipment. But I promise, all it takes is practice and some simple tools to build my favorite creation - the Sweet Cap.

The Sweet Cap is my indulgent and dangerously simple creation - a combination of espresso, frothed milk, and whipped cream. This gives the creator the freedom to add his or her own flavors to it as well.
To make this, all you need are two simple things. 1.) something to make espresso with.

I like to use my little moka pot for some quick on-the-stove java. Very cheap, only $18 here.

2.) You'll need something to froth milk with. You've got a couple of options here. If you want super-cheap, a hand frother does the job. If you want super-luxurious, Nespresso makes an amazing frother. However, I rely on a medium-grade version:

This Kasbahouse hand frother gets the job done for around $20. Find it here.

Once you've got these materials, or something similar, all you have to do is brew your espresso, pour it in a cappuccino cup, froth your milk, and pour it on top. Again, feel free to throw in your own flavors. Then, be sure to top with whipped cream.

If you want to play with flavors, my newfound favorite is to place a cinnamon stick in the cup and sprinkle a pinch of ground cloves over the whipped cream. It tastes like Christmas in a cup.

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Ratatouille Pasta

I know, I've been neglecting you.
Unfortunately, finals have hijacked whatever time I have, so the majority of my week has been spent studying, crying, daydreaming about winter break, and studying some more. It's a cycle.
Obviously, I've been eating during study breaks. And I find that this is the time of year where students grab whatever's quick without thinking about how it affects their bodies. And then they get the dreaded exam week plague that always hops around on campuses.
Fortunately, that's where this recipe comes in handy. Loaded with fresh veggies so you won't feel bad about spending the majority of your week sitting in one spot, carbs to give you energy, and garlic and onions to fight against viruses. It's the perfect exam week feast.

Ratatouille is traditionally cooked on a stove-top, but I find baking it cuts the time in half. 

To make this pasta, grab these ingredients:

1 eggplant
2 zucchini squash
1 yellow squash
1 red onion
2 cloves garlic
olive oil
1 48 oz can diced tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
salt
pepper
box of spaghetti noodles

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F.

Chop your eggplant up into cubes. Sprinkle with salt and set aside.

Cube your zucchini and yellow squash and place in a 9x13 baking dish. Slice your onion in half, then into long slivers. Add to the dish. Mince your garlic and add to the dish. Pour the can of diced tomatoes over the mixture.

Rinse the salt off of your eggplant and add it to the dish. Sprinkle with oregano, rosemary, salt, pepper, and a dash of olive oil. Mix well.

Place your dish in the oven for 30 minutes, then stir it once. Put it back in for another 30 minutes.

While your veggies are cooking, prepare your pasta. When the timer goes off, grab a handful of the pasta and place it in a bowl. Top with a generous heap of ratatouille.

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Tower Inn

You may remember my Pizza Blanca recipe I posted about a month ago. Homemade crunchy crust, alfredo sauce, garlic, onions, chicken, bacon, etc. If you do, you probably also remember me ranting and raving about the recipe's source material, a dish from a restaurant in Ypsilanti called Tower Inn.
Well, this weekend, me, Maria, and Matt met up at Tower Inn for some delicious munchies.

I grabbed a Mai Tai while I perused the menu.

Can you believe these come in pint sizes?? Of course, if you're really in the mood for a drink, grab one of their Tower beers - I don't have any pictures of one, but imagine a mug like the one I'm holding blown up so it's the size of my torso and filled with beer.

Yeah.

Of course, every time I come to Tower and look over their enormous menu, there are so many delicious things that pop out at me. I'm tempted to order the burger, the chipati, and numerous other things. But I always fall back on the same thing - the original and award-winning Pizza Blanca. The one that inspired my homemade version.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to the Pizza Blanca. Ooey gooey white cheese, tomatoes, onions, garlic, bacon, chicken, and basil on top of a crunchy and delicious crust. It's my kryptonite. 

And I think you see why.

Also, if that didn't impress you, take a look at Matt's fries:

Also, please note his Pizza Blanca in the background. It's too good for us to pass up!

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Tuscan Cafe

I need to stop holding out you. I need to tell you where to find the best sandwich in Metro Detroit.

Tuscan Cafe.

In downtown Northville, just off of main, this little cafe specializes in sandwiches, homemade soups, Zingerman's dessert, delicious coffee, and an amazing atmosphere. When I was younger, I acted in one of the local theaters near this shop, where my friends and I would often come after rehearsals for cappuccinos and desserts. As I got older, Tuscan was the spot for me to maintain my rigorous AP exam study regime with a tall chocolate Italian Soda in hand. And nowadays, I come in as often as possible with new and old friends.

And anytime I order a sandwich, it has to be a full-sized #3 - Fly Me to the Moon.

Piles upon piles of shredded turkey, avocado, pesto, sprouts, sun-dried tomatoes, provolone cheese, and dijon mustard sandwiched between two toasted pieces of Zingerman's sourdough bread.

When paired with a cup of Michigan Cherry Coffee, this sandwich is the perfect mixture of freshness, comfort, and local flavor.

Now, I know I lured you in with this sandwich, but stay with me for a few more seconds while I tell you about my SECOND favorite part of Tuscan Cafe.

Two words: Specialty Cappuccinos.

That's right, this place has an entire menu dedicated to cappuccinos swirled with flavors like caramel, hazelnut, chocolate, and almond. It's encapsulated in the gold portion of their larger menu seen below:

My personal favorite is the Tuscan Supreme, a cappuccino with caramel and chocolate topped with whipped cream. I was addicted during high school, which is why I got myself one of these:

Trust me, it's a worthwhile investment. You won't be able to drink just one.
Did I mention the dessert menu? Or the donuts?
I guess you'll just have to see for yourself.

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Sweetwaters Winter Wonderland

Last night, Mallory and I ventured over to Main street to visit Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea. A Sweetwaters virgin, Mallory was delighted to try their Ice Dragon specialties. I, on the other hand, was in the mood for a pot of tea.

I grabbed the Winter Wonderland blend, new for this season, a delightful minty blend that warms you right up. My favorite part about Sweetwaters is getting an entire pot of tea with your order, making it the perfect place to get some serious studying done or catch up with an old friend.

If you're feeling the winter chill, take a break and make the hike down to Sweetwaters with a friend. If you live closer to Kerrytown, there's a Sweetwater's right by the marketplace with a similar chilled atmosphere.

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Amadeus Restaurant

If you follow me on Twitter, you know that my mom came into town yesterday and we went out to lunch. Our choice venue was one we'd passed many times, but never ventured into before.

Nestled in the corner of Washington and 5th, Amadeus is a European restaurant specializing in Polish favorites. I'm always a little skeptical of "authentic" European/Asian/African restaurants, but I can honestly say that sitting in this cafe makes you feel like you've been transported to a local Warsaw joint. Perhaps it was the two men sipping coffee and speaking another language, or the single waitress running around to serve every table, or the one cook who seemed to be preparing everyone's meal as if the restaurant was her own kitchen. This place is magical. 

I love the little bread basket - it's quite literally a basket.

Mom got the stuffed cabbage roll meal which was delicious...

I grabbed an amazing pierogi appetizer...

Five delicious and fluffy homemade pierogies dotted with sour cream, breadcrumbs, radishes, and cucumber. Amadeus lets you choose your own filling, so I got potato and farmer's cheese.

Yum!

Now, since this place is small and authentically European, don't expect to pop in and out for a 20-minute meal. This restaurant is a place to reconnect with an old friend over coffee and desserts, which is exactly what I plan to do in the near future.

Mom and I also stopped by a small shop on Main street, and I was drooling over their Christmas goodies by Stonewall Kitchen..

Did you know Zingerman's makes candy bars? Cause I didn't. Until now.

I forgot what the name of the shop was, but you can order stonewall products here, here, and here. Zingerman's bars can be found here.

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Belgian Chocolates

As most of you know, for the majority of this semester, my friend Katie has been galavanting across Europe (feel free to check out her travel blog here). Whenever I'm feeling lonely or unadventurous, I snuggle up in a blanket and let Katie's blog take me through the various museums, coffee shops, and bars that she's been to.

One of my favorite posts documented her trip to Belgium, where she toured some of the world's best chocolate shops and I drooled onto my keyboard.

Much to my surprise, Katie foresaw my chocolate craving and sent me an early Christmas present - a box of handpicked assorted chocolates straight outta Belgium.

I love this bright red packaging - it even looks like a Christmas present!

This bright gold box looks positively royal.

And it's safe to say the chocolates inside are fit for a Queen. Katie was even nice enough to handpick the assortment, including tons of coffee-filled options! Perfect for me.

Thanks Katie!!

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