Before now I was strictly an Americano girl. That deep dark espresso and hot water concoction, slightly bitter but offset with a glug of half & half and sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg.
But latetly my allegiances are shifting as I’ve started cozying up to lattes. These lingering damp grey mornings make a girl blue. And I don’t mean racy, off-color blue; rather when you feel like staying home all day, sulking around in your pajamas with a blanket wrapped around you, maybe watching sappy old movies. Nothing like a luxurious foam-kissed latte in an oversized mug to set things right again… if only just temporarily.
Without the luxury of a professional milk frother in my kitchen, making a latte that actually resembled a latte instead of cafe au lait seemed far-fetched. But I’ll be darned if you could stop me from trying. So through much trial and many errors I came up with two simple methods for my poor man’s latte:
1. Heat 2% milk in a saucepan over medium to medium high – careful not to burn the milk or let it overflow [talk about a disgusting mess]. When the milk begins to foam up, pour immediately over hot espresso*.
OR
2. Pour milk into a skinny cup and rub a small whisk back and forth between your hands as fast as you can to froth – the foam won’t be much, but it works. Immediately pour over hot espresso.
Nothing fancy or special to look at – certainly no latte art here – but the poor man’s latte is extravagant and sumptuous all the same.
*From my trusty stovetop Turkish espresso maker.
That’s a great idea !
Addictive, aren’t they? I have a latte every morning. Stove top Italian style espresso maker for the java and hot frothy milk via a $15 latte whip. Tastes as good as a $4 Starbucks for a fraction of the price.
http://christie-corner.blogspot.com/2008/04/latte-whip-whip-it-whip-it-good.html
Nice to see you an do this even without a whip.
And I tried latte art. I stank at it.
i used to do that too in my dorm room! but i would still use half water half milk, saves money on the milk :)
that is a brilliant photo by the way.
An immersion blender does a great job of making thicker foamy milk too.
A $15 milk frother? That’s insanity. Ikea sells one for just $1.75.
Thanks for visiting Heather. Your blog is adorable:) keep it up!
Chocolate Shavings: and ridiculously easy! [and cheap]
Chairman Christie, Mike and Frugalbaker: thanks for the ideas. I think I’ll pop over to IKEA for the cheap-o version for now! poor grad student…
malloryelise: touche on the water:milk combo. totally sounds like something i’d do. i would be a stellar 1940s depression era housewife with my frugality…
cookiejarconfessions: thanks for the compliment!!
Hi! I was out of town for 2 weeks and am just stopping back in to see what’s up! I start every morning with hot coffee and milk, heavy on the milk, but never thought to try this to make it foamy. Fun!
ohhh yummy yummy. i’m a coffee addict, but am strict about it–only one giant mug of it a day!
this looks delicious.
Jamie: fun and a [very] mini workout!
HappyTummy: same here – just one for me!!
Great post! There’s nothing like nursing a big, foamy latte in the morning with a double shot of espresso. It feels so decadent and perfect for these gray mornings!