Italian Coffee Recipes

THE PERFECT CAPPUCCINO

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Place the water into the boiler of your espresso machine.
• Place the 2 tablespoons (2 shots) of ground coffee into the portafilter.
• Tamp (press) the coffee down using a tamper. Do this 2 to 3 times to make sure the grounds are packed tightly.
• Place the portafilter into your espresso machine's group head and lock it in place by turning it to the right.
• Place a demitasse cup or the glass carafe that came with your espresso machine under the group head and pull the shot for 23 to 30 seconds, or until 2 ounces of espresso is yielded. Typically, there is a lever, switch, or button to start this process.
• Once the shot is pulled, foam the milk.
• Place the milk into either a glass measuring cup or a small metal pitcher.
• Insert the steam wand into the container with the milk, just under the surface of the milk.
• Engage the steam wand on your espresso machine. (You may need to read your espresso machine's manual for this, as each espresso maker is a little different.)
• Make sure to keep the tip of the wand toward the side of the container. This will create a vortex with the milk.
• Move the container higher, lower, closer, then further so that the steam wand can incorporate the air into the milk, making the foam. The bubbles should get smaller and smaller as you do this.
• Once the milk has foamed to double its size, turn the steam wand off.
• Top the espresso with foamed milk right after foaming. When initially poured, cappuccino is only espresso and foam, but the liquid milk quickly settles out of the foam to create the (roughly) equal parts foam, steamed milk, and espresso for which cappuccino is known.

ITALIAN LEMON COFFEE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 6-cup, 7-1/2x3-inch Bundt® pan. Sprinkle almonds evenly around the bottom of the pan. Set aside.
• Beat eggs and sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl. Add oil, lemon juice, and lemon zest; mix until well combined. Gradually beat in flour until it has been incorporated. Add Lievito and mix well. Pour batter evenly into the prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 28 to 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes. Run a knife down the sides of the pan to assist in releasing the cake from the pan. Place in the freezer for 20 minutes. Remove from the freezer and invert cake onto a serving platter.
• Mix powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl until glaze is smooth. Place glaze in a small resealable bag and snip the corner of the bag. Drizzle glaze over the top of the cake.

ITALIAN ICED COFFEE

Steps:

• Place the hot coffee and the sugar in a measuring cup and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the milk and pour the mixture into a blender. Add the ice and blend on high speed for 45 to 60 seconds, until the ice cubes have completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth and creamy. Pour into 2 or 3 small glasses, dust lightly with the cocoa powder, and drink ice cold.
• Pour water into water reservoir of drip coffee maker. Place coffee filter into top canister and put coffee grinds in. Press "On!"

ITALIAN COFFEE

Steps:

• Pour coffee and liquor into a coffee cup and sweeten to taste.
• Gently float the cream on top, and sprinkle with nutmeg.