Coconut Chai Matcha Latte + Updated Cookbook Collection
It's been a while since I've done an updated cookbook collection. I thought it was time to refresh you, and myself, on all the good reads I have stored in my room. I have so many cookbooks hiding in every nook and cranny that I often forget about some of them. I started my cookbook collection around 4-5 years ago while I was inspired in New Orleans. I updated my mini collection a few years ago after gathering a few more, but I've acquired many, many more since then. This is also a good way to force me to organize my room a little bit. I love to clean and organize typically, but because I have so many books and so little space it can get cramped.
My collection originally started as a "vintage" or "antique" cookbook collection, full of original copies from as far back as the early 1900's. Since then, I've added more modern ones, while still keeping up the tradition with the older ones.
While I love a good cookbook, I despise reading "regular" books. I always have. "AR" tests were my worst nightmares in elementary school. I can only remember three books that I've read from cover to cover (without using SparkNotes) and actually enjoyed: The Miraculous Tale of Edward Tulane (I read it in about 2 hours when I was 8 or 9... I was very proud of myself), The Fault in Our Stars, and...wait for it... The Giving Tree.
Despite my defiance to reading "regular" books (aka not cookbooks), I've always enjoyed reading books about cooking.
Stories told by chefs or people with personal experience in the restaurant business or just from random people who travel and eat and wrote a book about it-- those are my types of books. So, I've collected a few of them over the years as well.
Oh, and I also like magazines.
To go with this brief overview of all of my cookbooks (and books about cooking), I want to share one of my favorite warm drinks to sip on, especially in the winter. This Coconut Chai Matcha Latte is the best mid-day pick me up or even morning coffee replacer. I won't be replacing my coffee with anything time soon, though, so I usually opt for it mid-day.
I thought it would be fun to post these two together because
1. The best and only way to read a good book or cookbook is with a warming cup of something in your hand to sip on. The only way.
and
2. It's not exactly spring yet, so we still have a few more days to act like it's freezing cold outside (even though where I live it's already hot and humid and in the 70's...)
and
3. It's the perfect thing to do on a Saturday like today, over the Easter break.
So, either cozy up with this matcha latte while reading the rest of this post, or make it later to make reading your book a little bit more enjoyable. I know that's what I do.
Alright, without further ado, here are the new additions to my little collection, starting from where I left off in my last post:
One of my favorite cookbooks is from one of my favorite bloggers, Tieghan from Halfbaked Harvest, who released her cookbook in September. I actually forgot I pre-ordered it about a year ago, so when it came to my door it was like a (very) early Christmas gift.
Two of my most recently bought cookbooks are Dining In and Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat.
Dining In is such a beautiful, simplistic, and aesthetically pleasing cookbook. It's probably become one of my favorites.
I've talked about Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat in my
Red Wine Carbonara post, but I just want to rave some more about it. It's honestly such a cool and interesting book and has definitely improved my knowledge on the science behind food and cooking.
The rest of my newest books are more coffee table and "books about food" style books.
Give a Girl a Knife is an autobiography type book all about a woman's journey to find her culinary roots. I haven't read it yet, but I'm excited to start it soon. 32 Yolks is another book I hope to read soon, too.
Julie and Julia, which is the book in which my all-time favorite movie is based off of, is a book I've been wanting since I was around 7 or 8 when I first saw the movie, "Julie and Julia."
Foodie Top 100 Restaurants Worldwide is pretty much exactly what it sounds like... a little hand guide to the top 100 restaurants in the world.
My last two books are coffee table books, which if you know me, you know I have a strange addiction to those...
Chelsea Market Makers is all about the different artisan shops inside of Chelsea Market, which after my visit to New York in February, is my new favorite place on Earth.
And finally,
Forks is all about a man's journey on his motorcycle across the world, where he experiences the people, culture, and food in each location. It's a really cool book and will definitely bring out the wanderlust in you.
So, my little collection just keeps on growing... if you have any good reads, whether cookbooks, coffee table books, or just books about cooking, let me know in the comments!
And now for the latte...
Coconut Chai Matcha Latte
1-2 servings (easily doubled/tripled)
2 tsp. matcha powder
1 tbs. agave or honey (might need to use more if using honey)
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup room temperature cashew milk
2 coconut chai tea bags or regular chai tea bags
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
fresh nutmeg (for topping)
In a small pot, bring the coconut milk to a simmer with the tea bags. Turn off heat and let steep for 10 minutes. Remove tea bags, put back on medium heat, add the matcha, agave/honey, vanilla, and cinnamon. Whisk until smooth and bring to a low simmer again. THIS PART IS OPTIONAL BUT HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Strain into a blender and blend for about 30 seconds to make it frothy (If you skip this step, just strain it straight into a mug). Pour in a mug, top with the cashew milk and a little bit of fresh grated nutmeg.