Monthly Archives: March 2008

global food crisis

I had a dream many years ago (a time before white hairs crept in like ninjas) where I’m in the future and found myself in the middle of a global food shortage crisis. The crisis was so bad that people resorted to cannibalism. I walked into a white well-lit room with a large metal table inside. On the table was a dismembered human male torso cut open butterfly style. I think the liver and kidneys sitting by the torso were human. Haggis anyone? Human leg shanks were neatly hung on meat hooks suspended from a ceiling rack. I ran out of the room and scrambled to look for an exit from this terrifying meat processing plant. A cloud of white mist noticed me running and immediately gave chase. The mist closing in on me was the last thing I remember before waking up.

I couldn’t forget a dream like that.

Why am I not surprised when something like this shit would happen?

Courage!

After some tinkering, I believe I have successfully recreated that excellent drink based on the Courage coffee drink from ‘Rice to Riches‘. ‘Courage’ is a chocolate orange espresso drink with a spicy kick. My version is a bit healthier since it has no sugar and no saturated fat when using a plant-based milk.

To recreate the Courage drink, you will need:

  • a teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder
  • a shot or two of espresso
  • 2 to 3 (2-inch) orange rind strips
  • 2 dried red chilies (More or less according to taste. I like mine extra spicy, so I use 3. You may roughly tear them up to maximize the kick at the back of your throat.)
  • about 12 oz. milk (I like almond milk, but you can use skim, whole, soy, or whatever you have on hand)

1) Put the chilies, orange rind strips, and milk in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over high heat. Remove from heat and steep for 10-15 minutes.*

2) Mix the cocoa powder into the espresso.

3) Strain out the chilies and orange rind into a cup. Add the espresso cocoa mix and stir.

4) Enjoy.**

*When I’m in a hurry to catch the morning train, I just dump the contents of the saucepan into a travel mug, add the espresso and cocoa, and let it steep like tea that way. A spill proof mug is great when I’m running for the bus. :p

**If you’re one of those namby pambies who couldn’t take coffee without sugar, go ahead and add the sugar, you effeminate punk.

[originally published on LiveJournal]