Monday, August 11, 2008

Stovetop Espresso

I have been loving my stovetop espresso maker--so much. I got it early in the summer, partly because my drip coffee maker had recently broken, and partly because I thought the timing would be just right. I could make stovetop espresso all summer and worry about the time factor come fall. And I really have enjoyed it. I'm making delicious coffee for the first time ever and that is so thrilling.
I thought I'd do a little "tutorial" on the process just in case anyone else out there is curious about it, as I was. For some reason I was intimidated by the thought of these little coffee makers, but I shouldn't have been. They are very simple, like a stovetop percolator our grandmothers might have used.
This is what it looks like when taken apart. The ring and the disc fit under the top chamber.
Fill the bottom chamber with water and the funnel with coffee. The funnel fits over the water. Then screw on the top.
Set the whole thing over medium heat. The handle stays nice and cool, by the way.
The coffee smells wonderful when it is brewing. When you hear loud perking it is almost done. You will know when to take it off the heat because the top chamber is now full.
Heat your milk in the microwave, then froth it with a milk frother. I've been using 1% this summer, but whole milk is yummy.
Pour the coffee, then the milk, then the foam into your cup and there you have it. Delicious and satisfying. Yum! Now, as the new school year approaches (in two weeks) I have to figure out what to do on school mornings. Stovetop espresso is sort of a leisurely activity. I need to buy a new drip coffee maker, but they are more expensive than I thought, and so many of them are bulky and pretentious looking these days! So I'm stalling. Or I could just go back to this method.

So, two more weeks (for me) until school starts. That's really incredibly soon. I have to get my head around that. Meanwhile, there's still time to play.

11 comments:

amy turn sharp said...

great minds think alike. I wrote about this same machine yesterday! I got mine for $4.99!!!! xo

Jessica said...

I've seen your stove top espresso maker a couple of times and it looks sooo yummy. I've been keeping my eyes peeled at thrift shops and discount stores. I'm hoping that soon one will show up. Thanks for the tutorial, so when I actually find one I can enjoy it! I just love Knitting Pretty-its a great go-to knitting book with lots of how-to's, which I always need. I've made a bunch of things from the book, and the patterns alway turn out. Happy espresso drinking and knitting!

Celia said...

Oh God, the web is just fun. Reminds you of how different all people are and also the places where they live.
In Spain that's the coffee maker everyone has at homeadn you don't even learn how to make coffee in them. You just know it!, lol...
It's the best coffee even I like also my Dolce Gusto machine so much!!!!

Laura said...

Do you like French presses? That is what we use and love it! They are not expensive and they have that simple look...the 'unplugged kitchen' look :)

nicole said...

Thanks for the tutorial.

Sarah said...

Your coffee looks so delicious! I am very much looking forward to all the fancy coffee drinks I'm going to enjoy when I'm not pregnant anymore!

Anonymous said...

Hi Mary Beth,
Friends of ours just love their machine so much they take it along while camping. When we were in Belgium with them a few month back we sat before our tents sipping capuchino in the rain. Tres chique.
Love, Ria

Amanda @ www.kiddio.org said...

Thank you so much for the tutorial...my husband has one he brought back from Cuba years ago and I've not known quite what to do with it. Coffee maker? Objet d' arte? Finally, a clue!
Thanks!

Gift of Green said...

I start on Monday!!! (New staff orientation!) EEEEK! :)

ShabbyInTheCity said...

Well I'm just reading my heart out around here! I love the name of your blog :)

Anonymous said...

I found this post so inspiring!! My husband and I were in the same boat as you were with an espresso machine on the fritz. Just wanted to let you know that I tagged this article on my blog today, starbrush.wordpress.com. Thanks so much for the inspiration!! Such a great idea, and a tasty one too!