#4 Hello Spring

Here we are powering through the year, tomorrows quickly turn into todays, and before you even notice the tulips and daffodils blossoming into the atmosphere, a new season is upon us. I catch myself taking deep breaths to keep up with the pace of life. 

Another year gone and another year older. Well, I may be speaking a tad too soon, but it definitely feels like it's ramping up fast. 

Consistency is a challenge for a woman like me, whose mind wanders from all the roles I play: being a mother, a business owner, a daughter, a partner, and everything in between. If anything, one of the only consistent things is my coffee. Sounds easy enough, but actually, roasting coffee consistently is not the easiest thing to achieve. You see, when you have just a simple flame under a drum, tumbling those beans in a never-the-same climate is a process a bit tricky to explain in a nutshell. And it takes just a second of bad choice or two to screw the whole thing up for our consumers. Not to worry, it's a process not crucial to you, but something I need to ensure I understand and do well. 

Coffee has provided me with support for most of my adult life, serving as a source of energy at times and a means of total relaxation in others. In any situation, coffee has been part of my journeys and has allowed me to build my life, literally and not just a figure of speech. 

In a time where chaos almost overwhelms us and we can tend to lose ourselves in it, taking a moment for yourself with a simple, yummy-tasting coffee in your hands, each day, might be the little action that can give you a great sense of re-grounding. It may sound simple, but these small things are the ones that, over time, make a big difference. Spring is here. Take your coffee outside, absorb that sun, and nourish your body and mind. We all deserve it, not sometimes but all the time. My job, which I love and am grateful to be doing, is to make this a tasteful one. Why drink bitter and burnt coffee, it's the last thing you want to be yourself. 

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Below is my weekend morning coffee with homemade Tiramisu I made for my Mothers birthday. Was so easy and so delicious, I will leave you with the recipe to try one day x

TIRAMISU

450g Mascaporne cheese

4 Egg yolks

2/3 cups Castor Sugar

1 tsp Vanilla 

1/4 tsp Salt

360g Cream

For Assembling

30-36 Lady fingers

360g Strong Coffee (I used my own coffee using 80g ground coffee, any filter coffee device will do) cooled down to room temperature

2 Tbsn Cocoa to dust on top ( I also did a generous grating of Whittakers 60% dark chocolate as well x)

• Whisk mascarpone cheese on medium speed for 30–60 seconds, until smooth and creamy. Scrape down the bowl and set aside.

• In a heatproof bowl, combine egg yolks and ⅔ cup sugar.

• Prepare a double boiler: bring 1–2 inches of water to a simmer in a saucepan, then reduce to the lowest heat. Place the bowl on top, ensuring the bottom doesn’t touch the water.

• Whisk the egg yolk mixture on medium-high speed for exactly 2 minutes, then remove from heat. The mixture should be light and fluffy (avoid overmixing or overheating to prevent graininess).

• Pour the egg yolk mixture into the mascarpone. Add salt and vanilla, then whisk on medium speed until just combined, scraping the bowl once. (Do not overmix.)

• In a separate bowl, whip cold heavy cream to medium-stiff peaks (softly holds shape, not too firm). Avoid overwhipping.

• Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture in 2–3 additions using a rubber spatula, keeping as much air as possible. The final mixture should be creamy and light.

To Assemble

• Pour coffee into a wide bowl, ensuring it’s not hot.

• Quickly dip each ladyfinger into the coffee (a fast dip on each side).

• Arrange a layer of soaked ladyfingers on the bottom of an 8 x 9.5-inch rectangular dish.

• Spread half of the mascarpone cream evenly over the ladyfingers.

• Add another layer of coffee-dipped ladyfingers.

• Top with the remaining mascarpone cream, spreading evenly.

• Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, ideally overnight.

• Before serving, sift cocoa powder evenly over the top. VOILA!