Pouring Over a Good Book
Like Water for Chocolate Dippers,
Great Expectations Toffee Bars,
Wuthering Heights Hazelnut Coffee,
Dr. Zhivago's White Russian,
Snow Falling on Cedars Mudslide and
Murder on the Orient Espresso
(Family Features) - There's nothing better than curling up with a good book,
except maybe enjoying it alongside your favorite drink or
dessert. One trend that's been cropping up everywhere is
book clubs-especially since a certain famous daytime talk
show host ended her book club-resulting in everyone jumping
on the bandwagon and starting their own versions. Book clubs
are a fun and enjoyable way to meet new people, take part in
interesting discussions and, best of all, broaden your
horizons through the wonderful world of books.
One key to a successful book club is creating a comfortable
environment where everyone is at ease expressing their
opinions. An easy way to do this is through great food and
drinks, making people feel instantly at home. A high quality
coffee liqueur, such as Copa De Oro, can not only do this,
but can also add a new dimension to your recipes through its
wonderful taste and aroma.
So whether you're planning on starting your own book club at
home or attending one at another place, these food and drink
recipes are sure to delight you and your fellow readers from
prologue to postscript.
Wondering where to start? Here are some tips to get you started:
- Diversity is the key - look for a group of people with
different viewpoints. If all members have the same opinions,
your book discussions will be short and uninspiring.
- Keep an open mind - and remind others in your group to do
the same. Not everyone will like every book selected, but
the purpose of a book club is to explore new genres and
authors you might not have noticed before.
- Meet on a regular time schedule - the first Monday of every
month, etc. If you are finding people aren't finishing the
books in time, be flexible enough to extend the time between
meetings or break the book down and discuss it over two
meetings.
- Mix it up - throw in light reading every once in a while or
pick periodic movie nights to watch film versions of the
books and compare the book vs. the movie. Remember, this is
supposed to be fun!
Like Water for Chocolate Dippers
Yield: 2 dozen 2-inch cookies
1 cup butter
1 cup powdered sugar
3/4 teaspoon instant espresso powder
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup Copa De Oro Coffee Liqueur
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
Combine butter, powdered sugar, espresso powder and
cinnamon. Blend in coffee liqueur. Add flour, cocoa powder,
baking soda and salt. Combine until blended. Place dough on
floured non-terry cloth. Cover with plastic wrap. Roll to
1/4 inch thickness. Cut with decorative cookie cutters. Bake
in preheated 325°F oven 10 to 15 minutes or until firm.
Remove cookies to rack to cool. For a very special treat,
dip cookies in warmed coffee liqueur.
Great Expectations Toffee Bars
Yield: 2 dozen bars, about 1 1/2- x 2 1/2-inches each
Cookie base:
Cream 1/4 cup each butter and shortening and 1/2 cup firmly
packed brown sugar. Stir in 1 cup sifted all-purpose flour,
mixing well. Spread base over bottom of greased and floured
(or parchment lined) 13- x 9- x 2-inch pan. Bake at 350°F 10
to 12 minutes.
Mix:
2 large eggs
1/4 cup Copa De Oro Coffee Liqueur
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups flaked coconut
3/4 cup chopped pecans
Beat eggs in small bowl. Beat in coffee liqueur and brown
sugar until fluffy. In large bowl, resift flour with baking
powder and salt. Stir into creamed mixture. Fold in coconut
and pecans. Pour over partially baked cookie base and return
to oven. Bake 20 minutes or until top is set. Remove from
oven and cool on wire rack. Cut into bars.
Wuthering Heights Hazelnut Coffee
1 ounce Copa De Oro Coffee Liqueur
1/2 ounce hazelnut liqueur
4 ounces hot coffee
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
Whipped cream
Pour coffee liqueur and hazelnut liqueur into large coffee
mug. Add hot coffee and cocoa; stir. Top with whipped cream.
Dr. Zhivago's White Russian
1 ounce Copa De Oro Coffee Liqueur
1 ounce vodka
1 ounce milk or light cream
Pour all ingredients into a short highball glass. Add ice;
stir.
Snow Falling on Cedars Mudslide
1/2 ounce Copa De Oro Coffee Liqueur
1/2 cup crushed ice
1 ounce vanilla ice cream
1/2 ounce Irish cream liqueur
3/4 ounce vodka
Pour all ingredients into a blender and blend at high speed
until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and garnish with a
maraschino cherry.
Murder on the Orient Espresso
2 ounces Copa De Oro Coffee Liqueur
2 ounces brewed espresso, hot
6 ounces whole milk, frothed or steamed
Ground chocolate
Combine espresso and coffee liqueur in large coffee mug.
Gently spoon frothed milk on top. Dust lightly with ground
chocolate.
Free book offer - Get it before it's Gone With the Wind
Start your book club off with some lighthearted reading with
"A Don't Sweat the Small Stuff Treasury - A Special Collection
for Friends" based on the #1 nationwide best-selling "Don't
Sweat the Small Stuff" series by Richard Carlson, Ph.D.
Although miniature in size, this unabridged edition is
perfect for tucking into your pocket or purse or sharing in
a gift basket for friends. To receive your free edition of
"A Don't Sweat the Small Stuff Treasury - A Special Collection
for Friends" write to: Heaven Hill Distilleries, Attn: Copa
De Oro Book Offer, P.O. Box 1130, Bardstown, KY 40004.
SOURCE: Copa De Oro
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