Moghrabieh

is aka as Lebanese couscous. It is a nutritious grain-based pasta made from semolina flour rolled into pearl shaped pellets. Couscous is ideal for soups, stews, salads and side-dishes, like my Couscous and Tomato Salad.

Zürsun, well known for their heirloom beans now produces their own moghrabieh. Their wheat is the highest quality and sustainably grown on Lebanese farms, creating a creamy and authentic tasty couscous. Thumbs up.

Zürsun products, available at specialty food markets.

Morning Mate Unplugged

The Chemex Coffee Maker is so simple to use. I've been enjoying my Chemex all summer long. It reminds me of food chemistry class—yes, there is a science to this coffee making madness. I pair my Chemex with filtered water and freshly ground Columbian Supremo coffee beans.  It amazes me how many people I know can talk about making a good cup of coffee. BTW, Chemex made my Good Stuff pick!

Read on about the invention of Chemex and the intructions for making an exceptional cup of coffee.

About the Maker | chemexcoffeemaker.com

     The Chemex® coffeemaker was invented by Peter J. Schlumbohm, Ph.D., in 1941.  Schlumbohm was born in Kiel, Germany in 1896.  He received his doctorate in Chemistry from the University of Berlin.  After several trips to the United States, he settled in New York City in 1936.  Over the years, he invented over 3,000 items for which he was granted patents.  However, his coffeemaker and carafe kettles were his most long enduring inventions.

     Being a doctor of Chemistry, he was very familiar with laboratory apparatus and the methods of filtration and extraction.  He applied this knowledge when designing his coffeemaker.  He examined his laboratory glass funnel and his Erlenmeyer flask and made modifications to each.  He modified the laboratory funnel by adding an "air channel" and a pouring spout.  He added the "air channel" so the air displaced by the liquid dripping into the vessel could easily escape past the laboratory filter paper, which was to be used in the funnel as the filter media.

     To the well of the Erlenmeyer flask he added a protrusion, which looks like a bubble.  Consumers have often called it a "belly button."  This is a measuring mark, which indicates one half the volume that is below the bottom edge of the handle.

     He then combined the modified glass funnel with the modified Erlenmeyer flask to create a one-piece drip coffee maker to be made of heat proof, laboratory grade, borosilicate glass.  Last, he added a wood handle and called the item a "Chemex®," which was a fabricated name.  All that was needed then to brew the coffee was the coffee, hot water, and filter paper.

     Schlumbohm designed the water kettle, or carafe kettle, three years later.  His goal was to create an attractive yet simple and fabulous vessel.  Again he chose heatproof borosilicate glass as the material.  He designed a boiling kettle which has no lid, but which is nevertheless almost completely enclosed.  The "steam stopper" prevents the steam from coming into contact with the upper portion of the neck.  Thus, this portion remains cool and is used as the handle.

     Over the years, these items have been recognized as outstanding examples of American Design.  In 1956, the coffeemaker was selected by the Illinois Institute of Technology as one of the best-designed items of modern times and it was the only coffeemaker so designated.  The coffeemaker and the water kettle are in the permanent collections of museums such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Smithsonian, the Philadelphia Museum and the Corning Museum located in Corning, NY.  The coffeemaker completed a traveling exhibition tour of a number of countries in eastern Europe as part of the "United States Information Agency's Design in America Exhibition."  In the fall of 1989, it toured with the "Design, USA" exhibition to the former USSR.

Chemex® Brewing Instructions

1.  Open the Chemex-Bonded® Coffee Filter into a cone.  One side should have three layers.  Place the cone in the top of your coffeemaker with the thick portion toward the pouring spout.

2.  Using Regular or Automatic Grind coffee only, put one rounded tablespoon of coffee per 5 oz. cup into the filter cone.  If you prefer stronger coffee, use more; there is never any bitterness in coffee brewed using the Chemex® method.

3.  When the water is boiling, remove it from the heat until it stops boiling vigorously.  It should now be at about 200ºF, a perfect brewing temperature.  Pour a small amount of water over the coffee grounds, just enough to wet them without floating.  This is important because it allows the grounds to "bloom," so the desirable coffee elements can be released.

4.  After this first wetting simply pour more water, soaking the grounds each time, but keeping the water level well below the top of the coffeemaker.  Once the desired amount of coffee is brewed, dispose of the spent grounds by lifting the filter out of the coffeemaker.  And that's it!  You are now ready to enjoy a perfect cup of coffee!

Tea Brewing Instructions

     Follow the instructions for brewing coffee.  In place of coffee, measure in your favorite loose tea, one level teaspoon for each cup.

Impressed

California's own olives pressed to perfection. Inspired by pressing facilities of Italy and Southern France, Award-Winning Olive Oil Maker and Olive Queen, Deborah Rogers has made her mark in the olive industry with award to prove her hard work is worth it. Her impressive opperation turns-out high quality olive oils sought after by chef and culinarians going toe-to-toe with European imported products. 

Drizzle, Dip and Drool.

Great for dipping fresh bread or drizzle on bruschetta.

Tasting Notes:
A blend of three fruity olive oils, this MEDIUM Intensity oil is a crowd-pleaser.  It has green grass and tropical flavors, enhanced by a fruity peppery finish.

Suggested Pairings:
Because of its complex flavor profile ranging from fruity to peppery, Master Blend pairs well with all types of cuisine.  It brings out the more robust flavors of roasted vegetables, bean purees, spreads and homemade salad vinaigrettes.  A perfect "every day" olive oil.

The Olive Press is dedicated to anything and everything having to do with olives and olive oil. Visiting one of the tasting rooms in Sonoma and Napa is an experience. The best and freshest award winning California extra virgin olive oils are offered for tasting, along with a variety of vinegars for unusual, creative and sometimes explosive pairings.  In the artisan & gourmet gift shop you’ll find many unique and distinctive items and a variety of culinary delights for the chef and novice alike.

George's Bruschetta 
Recipe by Chef George Hirsch | Makes 6 Servings | From Grilling with Chef George Hirsch | The cookbook By George Hirsch with Marie Bianco © 1994

3 cups seeded and diced plum tomatoes
24 cloves caramelized garlic
2 Tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1 Tablespoon capers, rinsed
Salt and pepper, to taste
12 slices round country- style bread, sliced 3/4 inch thick
1/4 cup olive oil
6 basil leaves, chopped
Grated parmesan cheese 

To make the topping, combine the tomtoes, garlic, parmesan cheese, capers, salt and pepper.

Brush the bread on both sides with olive oil and grill 10 to 15 seconds on each side. Press down on the bread with a spatula so that the bread picks up grill marks.

When the bread is grilled, top off the slices evenly with the tomato mixture and place them in a foil pan on the grill. Close the hood and heat for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the pan and sprinkle each bruschetta with basil and parmesan cheese.

Say Cheese

It's no secret, among those that have seen my TV shows how much fondness I hold for my friends in Ireland. It is truly one of the most friendly and hospitable lands on earth. I actually think the phrase tender loving care was born there. Here's proof, in this TV ad from KerryGold. 

Dubliner Cheese: Once you try it, you'll be hooked. I am. It was first described to me as a mixture between Cheddar and Parmigiano Reggiano. This description is quite accurate. Dubliner tastes of a mature Cheddar with the sweet aftertaste of Reggiano. Created by the Irish company Kerrygold and named after Ireland’s capital city, this cheese shares traits with several well-known cheeses but the combination creates a flavor that is completely unique. 

Treats That Keep On Giving

Post Labor Day means back to work and back to school for many, but what happens to man's best friend?  Our four legged friend's long-dog-days continue at home, so be sure to keep up with summer outdoor activities like daily walks; which are good for Fido and a really great way to unwind and releave stress after your busy work day. 

TIP: Don't forget to reward Fido with a good treat! 

Click for more info.

Organic isn’t only reserved for man; dogOdog Organics treats and toys are meant to support the health and well being of our four-legged friends. 

dogodogorganics.com