Contributed by Angela Cleveland

Nothing beats that perfect cup of coffee first thing in the morning. But, coffee doesn’t have to be restricted to the cup. It’s bold, rich flavour can be incorporated into our meals in so many different ways. Here are some tips for cooking with coffee (adapted from www.sheknows.com):

Ingredients

1. Pair coffee with strong flavors: Coffee grounds will boost the flavor of most meats, like beef, pork or chicken. Coffee is very strong and flavorful and, consequently, should be paired with other strong flavors.

2. Use coffee like a spice: Coffee rubs, marinades and sauces add a delectable complexity to grilled meats, but coffee can also punctuate its distinctive taste into soups and stews and even tomato sauce.

3. Try coffee in its different forms: Coffee can be used in both in its ground and brewed forms. Ground coffee is good for rubs and marinades while brewed coffee works well with stews or sauces. When something is not going to be cooked, opt to use brewed coffee because grounds tend to stay grainy in a sauce or marinade.

4. Get creative with coffee: As a rule, most coffees pair well with citrus, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, garlic and salt. You can use either regular or decaf, but if you choose a flavored coffee, add other ingredients with similar flavors to your marinade or sauce.

Instructions

Urban Harvest offers a variety of coffee from Backyard Beans. You’ll find anything from African Black Bird to Laughing Coyote Expresso blend. If you are looking for a tasty coffee without the caffeine, try their Peruvian Swiss Water Decaf. Either way, the boldness of the coffee will enhance the flavours of your meal.

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