I can do many things – of which I am shameless in admitting.  But two key things that have always eluded me that seem so mundane to do are gift wrapping and a good pot of Turkish coffee.  Not sure why, I’m part intimidated, part delusional in admitting that I have yet to perfect those two skills.  I seem to have made good headway with the latter.  Turkish coffee is not for everyone – but for those, like me, who savour it, are inspired by it and its deep flavour, relish the opportunity to chat with friends over a generous cup, and thoroughly enjoy a sense of the exotic from that first whiff – here is a quick way for a great cup of Turkish coffee.  The mystery is unravelled!

Time:

20 min

Serves:

2 (generously)

Good for:

• Adding exotic flavour to your afternoons
• Kicking up your coffee game a notch
• Gossip sessions with friends

Ingredients:

• 3 small cups of  cold filtered water (you can use the Turkish coffee cups as measuring tools here)
• 2 tbsp generously filled of ground Turkish Coffee (preferably freshly ground beans with a cardamom pod – but not a must)
• Sugar to taste

Kitchen things you’ll need:

• Ideally Turkish coffee pot (Cesve), but you can use a regular saucepan
• Turkish cups or Longie espresso cups
• Mortar and pestle (to add flavours such as saffron or cardamom, optional)
• Small spoon to stir

Making it:

1. Place the sugar (based on the desired taste), water, and Turkish coffee in metal Turkish coffee pot.
2. Using a small spoon, stir briefly to combine then place pot on stovetop.
3. Slowly bring coffee mixture to a boil over medium heat about 4 minutes.
4. As the coffee warms, a dark foam will build up. As it comes to a full boil, take some of the foam and put into each of your Turkish coffee cups with a small spoon.
5. Put the coffee pot back on the stove then as is comes to a boil again, and pour half of the coffee into the cups, over the foam.
6. Put the coffee pot back to the stovetop and boil (yes, again!) for an about 20 seconds then pour the rest in to the coffee cups.

Tips: 

• Reluctant to say this is optional, because its almost mandatory, but serve with a nice piece of Turkish Delight or Baklava. 
• Feel free to add flavours such as cardamom, cinnamon, or saffron (crush with a mortar and pestle) and add to the coffee in the cups with a quick stir.