There’s nothing quite like a good cup of freshly brewed coffee to rev up your day. However, coffee has other uses. Not only does it add flavour to desserts and bakes, the liquid and the grounds make an excellent marinade for meat.
Coffee, like red wine, is acidic and acts as a tenderiser for meat. The grounds can be mixed with spices, garlic and sugar and rubbed over meat before grilling. The result is tenderness plus a spicy crust.
Strong, sweet coffee is an excellent baste for roast lamb or it can be added to a casserole.
When making muffins, replace half the milk with strong coffee. Combine chocolate bits with coffee, melt, then drizzle over ice cream. Yum!
Instant coffee can be sprinkled in banana sandwiches, added to milkshakes or smoothies or combined with honey and served with blue cheese and crackers.
Coffee is a good source of healthful antioxidants — it contains more than green tea or cocoa. So two or three cups a day could be just what you need.
And coffee grounds are a great garden booster. If you grow azaleas, camellias, hydrangeas or rhodos, mix your grounds with a few dead grass clippings or straw and fertilise these acid-loving plants.
Coffee-braised beef with orange
This is also a tasty slow-cooker recipe. Braise for 5-6 hours on low or until tender. Get the recipe.
Mocha cake with coffee syrup
This large, deep cake may be frozen whole or in wedges. Get the recipe.
Chilli ribs with coffee barbecue sauce
Purchase the ribs still attached to each other — 2-3 sets or racks. Both the precooking of the ribs and sauce can be done a day ahead. Get the recipe.