Make a vegan cupp-o-ccino

I’ve received five entries for the baking contest so far. Woo hoo! Don’t forget you have until tomorrow at midnight Tulsa time to submit.

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I’ve had a big, exciting Saturday, and I will post all the fun foodie details soon (either tonight or tomorrow), but first, I leave you with a little coffee tutorial.

I like coffee many ways, including black and with frothy milk. However, I am way, way too cheap to slap down $4 for a soy cappuccino every time the hankering sets in, and certainly too economical to buy a cappuccino maker. Fear not, fellow dairy eschewers: there’s a cheap, easy way to make your own at home with a French press.

If you’re not familiar with the French press, they are awesome little coffee steepers that let you brew up a cup without electricity. Well, as long as you have access to hot water, that is. For the record, I got the basis of this idea from a post over at Hungry Hungry Hippie. She uses a milk frother, but I do it all in my French press.

You will need: French press, course-ground coffee, non-dairy milk, two mugs, and anything you like in your cappuccino (sugar, vanilla, etc.).

Step 1: Steep your coffee.

Make it a lot stronger than normal because the “milk” will thin out the flavor. I have a 12 oz French press, and I use about four scoops of grinds. I also grind my own beans (as you can see in the background). Steep about four minutes and then depress the plunger.

Step 2: Meanwhile, fill up a mug about halfway with your favorite non-dairy milk. Soy froths up the best, but I greatly prefer the flavor of hazelnut (which hardly froths up at all). However, soy was what I had today, so that’s what you’re seeing. Stick it in the microwave for about a minute.

Step 3: Pour coffee into the empty mug and rinse out French press. Now pour the warmed milk into the French press and pump the plunger up and down. Do it fairly quickly as many times as it takes to make your milk frothy.

Step 4: Pour it into the coffee and top with whatever you like. I put a little raw sugar and cinnamon on mine. Enjoy!

I love this method because it’s cheap, easy, and makes me feel fancy. If you don’t have a French press, I highly recommend one. They are really easy, and one the size of mine costs about $20. I sometimes stash it at work so I can avoid the disgusting office coffee.

What’s your favorite faux milk to use in coffee drinks? What else do you put in your coffee?