Categories
Recipes

Low-Fat Pecan Balls

These have many names, from pecan balls or pecan cookies to Italian wedding cookies. The pecan balls are not very fattening even with the standard ingredients, but switching out almond or coconut flour for white flour gives them a nutritional up-tick.

Low Fat Pecan Balls

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 cups unsalted butter
  • 3/4 powdered sugar
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1-1/2 cups finely ground pecans
  • 4-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 3 cups sifted almond or coconut flour
  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar for rolling

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  2. Cream butter and sugar in a bowl.
  3. Gradually add powdered sugar and salt. Beat until light and fluffy.
  4. Add pecans, vanilla, and cinnamon. Blend in the flour and mix well.
  5. Shape into balls or crescents using about 1 Tbsp dough for each cookie. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
  6. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Do not brown.
  7. Cool slightly then roll in powdered sugar.
Categories
All Things Pumpkin Taste Tests

Pumpkin Season 2017 Taste Test #6: Pumpkin Pancake Smackdown

This week’s taste test features three pumpkin pancake mixes: Krusteaz, Foodstirs and Trader Joe’s. Frankly, I liked them all, but for different reasons. That said, I do recognize that each mix will appeal to a different palette. Therefore, this post will compare and contrast each mix by quality, so you can select the pumpkin pancake mix that best meets your needs and taste buds.

Pumpkin Season 2017 Taste Test #5 Pumpkin Pancake Smackdown

Extra Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Krusteaz Complete Pancake Mix, Pumpkin Spice
    If you’re going camping, this is the mix to take. All you need to add is water.
  • Foostirs Organic Pumpkin Spice Stacks Pancake Mix
    You’ll need an egg, melted butter and mil (or mil alternative) for this mix.
  • Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix
    Like Foodstirs’ mix, you’ll need an egg, melted butter and mil (or mil alternative) for this mix.

compare three pumpkin pancake mixes - Krusteaz, Foodstirs, Trader Joes

Batter Consistency

  • Krusteaz Complete Pancake Mix, Pumpkin Spice
    Because you are only adding water, the batter can be a bit thin. Just add a bit more mix to get it to the consistency you desire.
  • Foostirs Organic Pumpkin Spice Stacks Pancake Mix
    The batter is thinner than Trader Joe’s but thicker than Krusteaz, and almost creamy smooth.
  • Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix
    The batter is thick and bubbly, especially after sitting a bit to wait for its turn at the skillet.

comparing three pumpkin pancake batters - Krusteaz, Foodstirs, Trader Joes

Fluffiness Factor

  • Krusteaz Complete Pancake Mix, Pumpkin Spice
    These pancakes were by far the lightest and fluffiest.
  • Foostirs Organic Pumpkin Spice Stacks Pancake Mix
    These pancakes were slightly denser than the other two but still fluffy.
  • Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix
    Not as fluffy as Krusteaz but not as dense as Foodstirs.

Flavor Profile

  • Krusteaz Complete Pancake Mix, Pumpkin Spice
    This mix had the strongest pumpkin flavor, with a nice balance of spice.
  • Foostirs Organic Pumpkin Spice Stacks Pancake Mix
    This mix resulted in pancakes with a nice balance of flavors. They were slightly sweet and the vanilla was notable. I think I liked the flavor of these the best.
  • Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix
    If you like a spicier pumpkin pancake, this is the mix for you. The notes of cinnamon, ginger, and allspice were notable.

Overall Thoughts on Pumpkin Pancake Mixes Tested

I liked them all to some degree, but it really comes down to Foodstirs and Trader Joe’s for my money. For a more vanilla-tinted pumpkin pancake, go for Foodstirs. For a more robustly spice pumpkin pancake, go for Trader Joe’s. And for portability, go for Krusteaz.

[one_third] Krusteaz pumpkin pancake [/one_third]

[one_third] Foodstirs pumpkin pancake [/one_third]

[one_third_last] Trader Joes pumpkin pancake [/one_third_last]

Ratings

Rating these pancake mixes was hard. They were so close, each one offering something worthy of note. The ratings below are purely based on my favorite flavor profile. Your personal taste may differ.

Krusteaz Complete Pancake Mix, Pumpkin Spice
[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth]

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth]

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth]

[one_fifth] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth]

[one_fifth_last] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]

Foostirs Organic Pumpkin Spice Stacks Pancake Mix
[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth]

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth]

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth]

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth]

[one_fifth_last] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix
[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth]

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth]

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth]

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth]

[one_fifth_last] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]


Previous Pumpkin Tastings

Forthcoming Pumpkin Tastings

  • Pumpkin bar mixes: Betty Crocker Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Bar Mix vs. Krusteaz Supreme Bar Mix Pumpkin Spice
  • Pumpkin cookie mixes: Betty Crocker Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Cookie Mix vs. Krusteaz Bakery Style Cookie Mix Pumpkin Spice
Categories
Recipes

Maple Cinnamon Delights

This twist on a flavorful sugar cookie is made a bit healthier by using whole wheat flour and substituting some of the butter with olive oil.

Maple Cinnamon Delights

Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup + 3 Tbsp sugar (divided)
  • 2 tsp + 1 Tbsp cinnamon (divided)
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup (divided)
  • 1 tsp maple flavoring

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, add flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, butter and olive oil.
  2. Mix with an electric mixer on medium speed until the dough begins to form pea-sized balls.
  3. Add in 1/4 cup maple syrup, egg and maple flavoring. Mix again until just combined and the dough can be formed into a ball.
  4. Chill dough for 30 to 60 minutes.
  5. Roll chilled dough into balls up to an inch-and-a-half in diameter.
  6. Mix together 3 Tbsp sugar and 1 Tbsp cinnamon. Roll the cookie balls in this mixture.
  7. Place two inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Flatten with a fork, making a criss-cross pattern.
  8. With a pastry brush, lightly brush the cookies the remaining maple syrup.
  9. Bake at 325 degrees for about 13 to 17 minutes.
Categories
Creative Cookery Flavor Blending Healthy Living Special Occasions

5 Ways to Bake Healthy Christmas Cookies

Do you ever wish there were healthy Christmas cookies? I don’t know about you, but Christmas time is pretty much cookie time! I’m a total cookie monster and all those delicious varieties of cookies can add up to a lot of sugar and calories. So how do you enjoy your cookies and eat healthier, too?

The obvious idea is to eat fewer cookies. But that isn’t always practical, am I right? Another idea is to make healthy Christmas cookies. So, here are some ideas to make the cookies that you bake healthier, whether they become gluten-free, low-carb, or lower in fat and calories.

Healthy Christmas Cookies

Healthy Christmas Cookies Idea #1: Switch to Dark Chocolate

dark chocolateQuite a few Christmas cookies contain chocolate, but that doesn’t mean you need to do without these yummy cookies when you are trying to be healthier. A better way to make healthy Christmas cookies with chocolate is to make the switch to dark chocolate.

Dark chocolate has slightly less fat and calories than milk chocolate. But more important, dark chocolate is good for you. It is filled with antioxidants, and sometimes even doctor-recommended. Add dark chocolate chips to your favorite Christmas cookies to make them a little healthier.

Healthy Christmas Cookies Idea #2: Roll Flatter Sugar Cookie Dough

A super easy way to cut the overall fat and calories per cookie with traditional sugar cut-out cookies is to roll the dough flatter. You are going to reduce the portion sizes but still, have some amazing sugar cookies. It is a simple way to get some cookies that will cut the nutritional facts in half, but by using the exact same sugar recipe your family is used to. It also lets you have more dough to make even more cookies than you are used to making. Of course, this doesn’t give you license to eat more of them. That will defeat your point!

Healthy Christmas Cookies Idea #3: Use Healthy Oils

coconut oilAnother thing that Christmas cookies often have in common is using a lot of fats, such as butter. However, you can easily make them heart healthy by cutting out those fats and instead switching to healthier oils.

Get rid of all the butter, shortening, and vegetable oil in the recipe, and opt for coconut oil or olive oil instead. There are even some substitutions that allow you to use pureed fruit to replace the fats and make them even healthier.

Tips for replacing butter for healthier oils:

  • Coconut oil — This is pretty much an even exchange, just be sure the coconut oil is the same consistency as the recipe needed for the butter. Cookies made with coconut oil tend to be crunchier.
  • Olive oil — For every Tablespoon of melted butter, use 2-1/2 teaspoons of olive oil. Remember to use a milder flavored oil and don’t try substituting in recipes that require you to cream the butter and sugar. Coconut oil would be a better option in that case.

Healthy Christmas Cookies Idea #4: Try Adding Some Dates

If you feel that your holiday cookies need to be sweeter, but you want to reduce the amount of sugar being used, you can replace the sweetness with dates. Dates are a type of fruit that tastes a bit nutty, but in general, has a mild flavor. They contain a lot of sweetness, so when you puree them and add them to your cookie recipes, it makes a big difference without adding to the fat or calories of the cookies recipes.

Healthy Christmas Cookies Idea #5: Increase the fiber

oatsIf your recipe calls for all-purpose flour, you can replace up to half of it with whole wheat flour. The resulting cookie may have a courser texture and then there may be less volume of dough, but you’ll increase the fiber of the cookie. Other ways to increase the fiber in your cookies include:

  • Add flaxseed meal to the dry ingredients. A single tablespoon can add 3 grams of fiber to your recipe.
  • Add ground high-fiber cereals to your recipes, such as oats, wheat germ, and wheat bran.
  • For moister cookies, replace some of the fat with applesauce.
  • Add grated apples or zucchini
  • Add nuts or seeds. In addition to increasing the fiber, they add texture and crunch.
  • Replace some of the fat with pureed beans, such as garbanzos or white beans


[divider]

[one_third] Healthy Eating Worksheet [/one_third]
[two_third_last]

Take Charge of Your Health!

Changing your eating habits can be tough. But it doesn’t have to be if you take a little time to think it out and create a plan.

This Healthy Eating Worksheet will walk you through the process of creating a healthy eating plan. All you need to do is print it out, set aside some time to complete it, and then fill it out. Then you can create your plan, knowing that you have addressed potential obstacles and came up with some creative ways to handle them.

Download Now [/two_third_last]

Categories
All Things Pumpkin Taste Tests

Pumpkin Season 2017 Taste Test #5

This past weekend I baked the remaining bread, muffin and cupcake mixes I had left, as well as tried a couple more products. Frankly, nothing this week really wowed me, but here are my comments on each one.

Pumpkin Season 2017 Taste Test #5

Exclusive Holiday Edition Foodstirs Organic Chocolate Chippy Pumpkin Bread Mix

Foodstirs Organic Chocolate Chippy Pumpkin BreadI purchased a three-month subscription to Foodstirs’ kits and have been having some fun with them. (I’ll be posting my results later.) Because I’m a customer, they sent me a coupon for a dollar off my next in-store purchase (you can find Foodstirs mixes at grocery stores and Target). Since I had the coupon, I thought I’d check out what they had … and found this pumpkin mix, as well as pumpkin pancakes. You can only get these two products at Target, and by the time I got there they were on clearance. So, you may not be able to get some for yourself until next year. Check your local Target, just in case, though.

This pumpkin bread is different than the ones I tested last week because it has chocolate chips in it. I liked the novelty of it and was impressed that they achieved a nice balance of having just enough chips to add flavor without overpowering the pumpkin bread flavor.

To my tastebuds, this bread didn’t taste much different than banana bread or peanut butter bread (perhaps a fusion of the two?). The pumpkin flavor was light and you can barely discern the spices (cinnamon, vanilla, ginger and other, according to the box).

Of course, this may be a plus since there are a lot of people who are adverse to pumpkin or pumpkin spice flavors. I think this pound cake-like bread would make a great part of a breakfast or brunch. Perhaps lightly toasted with some butter? And, if you get two packages, you could easily make a nice Bundt cake!

[one_half] Foodstirs Organic Chocolate Chippy Pumpkin Bread [/one_half][one_half_last] Foodstirs Organic Chocolate Chippy Pumpkin Bread [/one_half_last]

Rating

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]

Limited Edition Decadent Duncan Hines Pumpkin Spice Cupcake Spice Cake & Frosting Mix

Duncan Hines Pumpkin Spice Cupcake Spice Cake & Frosting Mix
The box comes with cupcake mix, frosting mix and a bag to pipe the frosting with.
These light and fluffy cupcakes are flavored with a combination of cinnamon, allspice, coriander, ginger, and nutmeg. The texture — and flavor — is light and airy, just as a cupcake should be.

The mix comes with a frosting mix — add butter and touch of water — for an orange, faintly pumpkin-spicy frosting. It was very tasty. Not too sweet, but clearly a buttercream frosting.

In my opinion, these cupcakes strike a nice balance of just the right amount of spice, balanced with the sweet. They are good enough to serve without the frosting.

Note: The instructions suggest you fill the cupcakes with frosting. I found that when I did that, the frosting overwhelmed the cupcake. If I were to do this in future, I’d just top them with frosting.

[one_third] cool cupcakes in the pan first [/one_third]

[one_third] allow to cool thoroughly on a rack before frosting [/one_third]

[one_third_last] frosted pumpkin spice cupcakes [/one_third_last]

Rating

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]

Krusteaz Supreme Muffin Mix Pumpkin Spice

Krusteaz Supreme Muffin Mix Pumpkin SpiceThese simple, lightly spiced muffins underwhelmed me. They are really not that spicy. They are really not that pumpkin-y. In fact, they are kind of nondescript. If I didn’t know they were pumpkin spice muffins, I would think they were ordinary spice muffins.

Again, this might not be a bad thing. Krusteaz is a good brand, so the quality is good. The flavor just didn’t impress me.

Rating

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]

R.W. Knudsen Limited Edition Sparkling Pumpkin Spice Juice

R.W. Knudsen Limited Edition Sparkling Pumpkin Spice JuiceTired of sparkling apple juice? Are you looking for a different kind of beverage to serve your guests? Then this could be a nice change of pace.

This is a non-alcoholic, sparkly beverage made from both apple and pumpkin juices. To me, it both smelled and tasted like mulled cider … only a bit different.

Compared to Martinelli’s Sparkling Apple Juice, it has a more mild apple flavor. I’m guessing the pumpkin juice is having that mellowing effect, however I couldn’t identify pumpkin as a flavor. And although it was reminiscent of mulled cider, it was also somehow different.

Frankly, I’m struggling on how to describe this beverage. It was unoffensive without being particularly interesting, either.

Rating

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin O’s Cereal

Trader Joe's Pumpkin O's CerealCompared to Cheerios, this O’s cereal is larger and lighter in texture. The flavor, however, is just robust enough to get your attention without screaming, “This is spice!”

I enjoyed them with some Oat Milk. If I were a cereal eater, I’d totally buy these again, if only for some variety to my breakfast. If fact, I would choose them over Cheerios, which I felt had a bit too much spice by comparison.

Rating

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]

Previous Pumpkin Tastings

Forthcoming Pumpkin Tastings

  • Pumpkin pancake mixes: Foodstirs Organic Pumpkin Spice Stacks Pancake Mix, Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix, and Krusteaz Complete Pancake Mix Pumpkin Spice Light and Fluffy
  • Pumpkin bar mixes: Betty Crocker Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Bar Mix vs. Krusteaz Supreme Bar Mix Pumpkin Spice
  • Pumpkin cookie mixes: Betty Crocker Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Cookie Mix vs. Krusteaz Bakery Style Cookie Mix Pumpkin Spice
Categories
All Things Pumpkin Creative Cookery Recipes

What To Do with Leftover Decorative Mini-Squash (Squash Soup Recipe Included)

This Thanksgiving, since I was hosting my parents and my husband’s parents, I got fancy with the decor and used some mini-pumpkins and mini-squash. Many people use these small winter squash as decorations and then throw them away. But did you know you can eat them? This year I made mini squash soup!

What to do with leftover decorative mini-squash

I purchased four mini pumpkins (one of them went bad before I tried to cook them) and two delicata squash to decorate the buffet and dinner tables. I arranged some in a basket and others elsewhere on the table, with a few extra Granny Smith apples I had. With the addition of some fake fall leaves I picked up at the Dollar Tree, I thought it looked pretty nice.

Thanksgiving dinner table set and ready to go

Now, you could just throw them away when you’re done. But you don’t have to waste your money that way. You can cook and eat them just like any winter squash. I decided to use them to make a squash soup. Here’s how I did it.

Step 1: Roast the Squash

In order to make a squash puree, I needed to cook them. I decided to roast them.

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Prepare a large baking dish by lining with aluminum foil and spaying the foil with non-stick spray.
  3. Cut open the squash and deseed.
  4. Cut into 1/4 slices and place in a large bowl.
  5. Toss with enough olive oil to coat all peices evenly.
  6. Arrange squash on the baking sheet.
  7. Bake for 10 minutes. Toss and then bake another 10 minutes. They are done when a fork can be easily stuck into them.
sliced winter squash ready to bake
Arrange the olive-oil coated squash pieces on prepared baking sheet.
roasted winter squash
Let your roasted squash cool before prepping for puree.

Step 2: Puree the Squash

  1. Remove skins/rinds from the squash.
  2. Place squash in a food processor or blender (I used my NutriBullet). Add enough broth or stock (I used homemade turkey broth created from leftover Thanksgiving turkey bones).
  3. Blend until smooth.

[one_third]

squash and broth being pureed in a blender.
Place squash and broth in a blender to puree.
[/one_third][one_third]
pureed squash with broth
The pureed squash with broth will be thick and creamy.
[/one_third][one_third_last]
savory soup base
This puree method is for a savory soup base, not to be used for desserts.
[/one_third_last]

Step 3: Make Squash Soup!

Mini Winter Squash Soup Ingredients

  • 4 Tbsp butter
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 tsp fresh sage, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh rosemary, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh parsley, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh basil, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, crushed
  • 1/2 tsp dried marjarom
  • 1/4 tsp ground white or black pepper
  • Up to 3 cups your favorite broth
  • 1 3/4 cup pumpkin puree (as prepared above)
  • 1 cup greek yogurt
  • Sour cream or greek yogurt for garnish

Mini Winter Squash Soup Directions

  1. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat. When hot, add the onion and garlic. Saute until softened and the onions are beginning to become transluscent.
  2. Stir in sage, thyme, rosemary, parsley, basic, ginger, marjarom and pepper until fragrant, about 1 minute more.
  3. Stir in broth. Continue to cook over medium-high heat, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
  4. Stir in the pumpkin and yogurt.
  5. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until heated through.
  6. Optional: Transfer to a blender and blend until creamy. Return to saucepan and heat through.
  7. Serve in shallow soup bowls and garnish with sour cream or greek yogurt.

The Recipe in Action — with Commentary

You might call this Thanksgiving Leftover Soup — many of the ingredients were leftover from the holiday. Waste not, want not, right?

[one_third]

chopped herbs
I used fresh thyme and sage left over from Thanksgiving. I had some fresh frozen basil, ginger, parsley and rosemary, as well.
[/one_third][one_third]
saute onions and garlic
I used one medium and one small onion, left over from Thanksgiving along with some fresh frozen crushed garlic.
[/one_third][one_third_last]
add herbs
Once the onions began to become translucent, I tossed in the herbs.
[/one_third_last]

[one_third]

add broth
Once fragrant, I added in turkey broth I made from the leftover Thanksgiving turkey bones.
[/one_third][one_third]
add squash puree
Add the squash puree to the simmering soup base.
[/one_third][one_third_last]
add yogurt
You can use sour cream, sour cream alternative, or regular yogurt. I used plain Greek yogurt I had left over from Thanksgiving.
[/one_third_last]

[one_third]

heat through
Mix in the puree and yogurt while the soup heats up. You can serve this as is, or blend it like I did.
[/one_third][one_third]
blend
If you like a creamier squash soup, transfer the warm soup to a blender and blend until desired consistency.
[/one_third][one_third_last]
heat through
Return the blended squash soup to the pot and heat until desired temperature.
[/one_third_last]

serve squash soup
Serve in large, shallow bowls. I didn’t garnish, but you can garnish it with sour cream, yogurt, or a small sprig of parsley.

Carma’s Commentary

I wasn’t sure what to expect because I’ve never eaten mini-pumpkins nor delicata squash before. The resulting squash soup was delicious! The dominant flavors were rosemary and thyme, and I could tell that the roasted squash helped balance those flavors. You can serve the soup without blending it. I chose to blend it because I like a creamy soup better.

You don’t have to roast the squash the way I did, but you do need to cook it until it is tender. You can bake it or even boil it. Each method comes with its own flavor profile. I chose to roast with olive oil for the extra flavor that both the extra virgin olive oil and the roasting process adds to the squash.

When you are pureeing squash, such as pumpkin, to add to a pie, bread, or other such recipes, do not add broth! Purees used in most of those types of recipes require a dryer puree. And you don’t want the savoriness of the broth to change the quality of your dessert. When not adding extra liquid, a food processor is a better choice. Or you can push the squash through a metal sieve. I did it this way because I knew I’d be adding broth to the soup anyway, so it didn’t matter if I added some a bit earlier in the preparation of the recipe.

The beauty of this recipe is that it is highly adaptable. If you are Vegan or Vegetarian, use a vegetable-based broth. If you don’t want dairy, use a nut milk for the soup and garnish with a sour cream substitute, such as plain Greek yogurt (I like The Greek Gods Greek Yogurt) or a homemade substitute such as Cashew Sour Cream or Coconut Milk Sour Cream. If you do eat meat, you can try adding some savory sausage or diced ham to the soup.

Categories
Special Occasions

4 Tips for Selecting a Coffee Machine To Give as a Gift this Holiday Season

We all have at least one special friend who’s totally nuts over coffee. If you’d like to give that person something he or she will definitely love, it’s got to be a coffee machine. Choosing a coffee machine as a gift may be challenging if you don’t know the basics because there’s just so many to choose from. There are simple drip makers, espresso makers, and Nespresso machines. What is the best Nespresso machine out there? What’s the perfect drip coffee maker to give? Don’t worry because I’m here to help you choose the perfect gift for a coffee lover. Here are four tips for selecting a coffee machine that would make a great gift this holiday season:

4 Tips for Selecting a Coffee Machine To Give as a Gift this Holiday Season

Coffee machine basics #1. Know your options

There are many types of coffee machines available. There’s the usual filter coffee makers, pod machines, espresso machines, and many more. Don’t get lost in the sea of choices. By being aware of their functions you can more easily make your choice.

Filter coffee makers are the most common ones in households today. It uses a filter paper you put in a filter basket where your coffee grounds are. Hot water then drips onto it and into your mug or coffee pot. These coffee makers can usually make 4 cups, but there are also bigger ones for a bigger party.

Pod coffee makers are pretty many newbies in the coffee machine industry. But no doubt they’ve earned their place. It works by inserting a single serve coffee capsule which the machine pricks into and drips some water. It’s definitely a great way to get barista quality coffee at the comforts of your own home. The only limitation is that you have to get your coffee pods from the same coffee maker because the cups are uniquely shaped per machine. Another nice thing about these types of machines is that there are pods available with other types of beverages, such as hot chocolate and tea, available, as well. Therefore it has a bit more beverage versatility.

Those are just a couple of options you’ll see when you start looking around. Make sure to check the shelves and consider what your friend would love the most. Which brings me to the next tip.


Coffee machine basics #2. Check for preferences

Nothing beats a personalized gift that actually touches on the recipient’s favorite things. How about a one cup coffee maker in her favorite color? With a bag of beans from his favorite coffee producing region? These little details matter. Check if your friend actually has an existing wish list you can draw ideas from. A bit of research goes a long way!


Coffee machine basics #3. Value for money

We always want to make sure we’re getting value for money in everything we buy. Is the coffee machine you’re eyeing worth it? Is it expensive but is known to be durable and long-lasting? Many factors come into play that adds value to the item you put in your cart. In terms of choice for coffee makers, you’ll never go wrong with the world’s most trusted brands. DeLonghi, Breville, Bunn, and Nespresso, these are arguably top of mind when it comes to coffee machines. You’ll never go wrong with a credible name.


Coffee machine basics #4. Ease of maintenance

Generally, the bigger the machine, the harder it is to maintain. Capsule coffee makers and the regular filter coffee makers are among the easiest to maintain in their line. You only need to dispose of the filter paper, wash the filter basket, and empty the water reservoir. A bit of wiping here and there in case of splatters, and you’re all set. Consider the complexity of the functions you want in your coffee maker. The more functions it has, the more moving parts it employs. Check with the sales crew and learn the different parts you need to clean.

If you make a good selection, your friend or loved one will be delighted with their new kitchen toy — and maybe invite you over to try it out!

a woman driking coffee

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