What's new, is I've updated my main blog (www.cedarchest.blogspot.com) powered by blogger.com, and linked Cafe DJ to it, which means I must be more diligent at keeping new posts coming here in the Cafe!

 

This blog exisits to inspire you with ideas for food preparation and entertaining friends around YOUR table.

 

We have enjoyed visitors from far and near since our last entry.  Ivan and Carol Franck with their four children, from Honduras, South America, our small group connected to our local church, and of course the steady comings and goings of the college aged young adults who frequent CAFE DJ and enjoy the fare while they hang out with our sons. 

 

The most exciting things that have happened here at Cafe DJ since the last entry (last summer!! - WAY to long ago) is that we have replaced the old KRUPPS coffee machine with a brand new Cuisinart Coffee Maker.  It has a built in water filter and makes great HOT coffee - FRESH GROUND of course.  (We grind the beans ourselves with a BRAUN electric coffee grinder).  The only way to get the antioxidant benefits from coffee is to grind if fresh and drink it right away once brewed.  After it sits in the pot for a while, the antioxidant advantage turns to dangerous free radicals, and we don't want that. 

 

The boys still use the KRUPPS machine for making STEAMERS with milk + various flavour syrups, and I use it for ESPRESSO / and CAPPUCINO when needed.

 

We have four canisters lined up on the counter.  One full of COLUMBIAN beans - a light roasted bean, for Bryan who prefers a milder coffee.

The second canister is filled with SUMATRA beans - a medium/dark roast, which is my preference.  We will often mix the beans to provide the desired blend for our guests.  A third canister is filled with a FLAVOURED bean - which rotates as we re-stock (currently it's IRISH CREAM).  We also enjoy AMMARETTO, CHOCOLATE / VANILLA and CREME BRULE flavoured beans.  The last cansiter contains DECAFFEINATED beans for evening visitors, or when we prefer coffee over tea at dinner time or later.

 

CAFE DJ guests have the option of brewed coffee, or European FRENCH PRESSED coffee.  We have two BODUM french presses in house.

 

Whenever possible we try to buy organic, FREE TRADE coffee beans.  It is important to know those who harvest the beans in the countries where they are grown, are being paid fairly and treated well.

 

I won't start into the tea selecetion at CAFE DJ right now...that could take a while!

 

Come back to CAFE DJ soon, for some great recipes and school lunch ideas.

 

May God bless you and yours this new year,

DJ