Milo

Milo is a drink I grew up drinking in Malaysia.  Even though Malaysia is hot all year round, we still drink it hot in the morning. I remember my grandfather took me to breakfast one hot morning.  The server brought hot Milo in a cup and saucer.  Since I was only 5 and could not blow on the beverage properly, he would pour some of it on the saucer so it would cool faster for me to drink with a straw from a saucer.  So the smell of this drink, hot or cold, brings back some of my fondest memories of Malaysia. Now that I am an adult, I do not understand why we simply order a cold one...

It is very chocolatey and very fattening.  To make one glass, I need at least 3 tablespoon of Milo powder.  I am sure it contains ton of sugar in one single drink.

Sugar Cane Juice

My brother-in-law asked me what I wanted when I came back to Malaysia for a visit and I requested sugar cane juice.  So he drove around to get me this.  Sugar canes can be seen in many places; some people even grow them in there yards.  These sugar canes are put through special machines that crush the canes to extract the juice.  They are not made until you order them and are served with ice in plastic bags. 

This is all natural, sweet and very refreshing on a hot day.  When I was younger and had a dollar to spare, I would go down the block of my grandmother's house with my sister to get snacks and sugar cane juice. When I went back to visit, I was sadden at the fact that the house no longer sell the snacks I use to love. There were stands that sold sugar cane juice but they were all too filthy to buy from. So my brother-in-law drove around just to find this for me!

Jasmine Tea

There are a lot of Jasmine Tea out there but this is my favorite because this is the best and most authentic taste.  I tried a lot of the Jasmine tea that comes in tea bags form but they are very different tasting then the leaves itself.

All you need is 1 to 2 teaspoons of tea leaves depending on how strong you like your tea.

I remember my grandfather put it in his tea kettle of boiling water and let it steep.  So in every cup of tea, there are always tea leaves in it. I like my tea without the leaves so I used my new trusty strainer.

I like my tea strong so I steep it for about 2 minutes.  You can reuse the leaves a few more times before discarding it.

Chrysanthemum Tea

Chrysanthemum tea is one of my favorite tea when I go for Dim Sum (Chinese Breakfast).

They are actual dried whole flowers.

As soon as the hot water is added, the flowers starts to expand.

For one cup of tea, I added about 3 or 4 flowers and steep it in hot water for about five minutes. For stronger tea, steep it in hot water for longer than five minutes. Chinese people believe that the chrysanthemum is great when it is consumed hot and without any sugar or honey to relieve sore throats.  In Malaysia and other Asian countries, Asian people drink their tea hot even when it is 100 degrees out.

I just bought a sturdy ForLife tea strainer which is great because it fits the spout of most mugs and you do not need to hold the strainer as the tea steep as I had to do with the last one.  The last one was a mesh of metal and it gets all bent out of shape if you put it in a drawers full of cooking tools.

Gatorade Mix

Gatorade Fruit Punch is such a great drink.  During the summer time, I freeze the boxed ones until it is slush inside.  Then I head out the door with one in my hand and if it is especially hot I will have another in my bag. I am one of the many in NYC that takes mass transit.  The MTA is so unreliable that sometimes I actually wait 40 minutes for a bus and in the underground subway it can get really hot.  This past July have been so hot that even the electronics in the subway stations malfunctioned.  So one must stay well hydrated in the heat.  Therefore I can blow through a six pack of Gatorade in 2 days. I discovered Gatorade mix, this whole carton is only $10 and it makes 24 quarts! And you have the control of sweetness.

Ice Grande Vanilla Latte @ Home

I love Starbucks and is known at work as an addict to caffeine. For the past decade, I have been going to Starbucks religiously. I spend roughly $1,200 a year, and past decades have spent more than 10 gs.  I know the amount I spend is astonishing but this is my way of splurging on myself. Beside if I do not have my caffeine fix, I suffer which in turn will make my friends suffer.  I am trying to save money so I did some research for espresso machines.  All the espresso machines I found that was good was anywhere from $500 to the thousands.  Then I found this espresso maker that cost about $40.  I always see this in Italian cooking shows.  If it is good enough for them, why not try it?

Bialetti Moka Express 9-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker

First I tried Dunkin Donuts Coffee ground and it was good but when I tried Illy Espresso ground, I actually jumped for joy in my kitchen. This can last me about 3 weeks and the cost range from $12 to $17.  Starbucks Vanilla Latte is made by adding...

Starbucks Vanilla syrup.  I am not sure if all Starbucks sell their products in the store, but the one I visit do.  It cost less than $10 for a one litter bottle of syrup and it last me around 3 to 4 months.

Now that I have control of the amount of espresso, my latte is a lot stronger than that of Starbucks. My latte must be made with whole milk, not skinny, not fat free, and not 2%.  The taste of whole milk makes it so creamy and wholesome.

All the stuffs I need to make a Ice Grande Vanilla Latte at home!

I still go to Starbucks once in awhile when I do not have the time to have a latte at home.  With the Bialetti coffee maker, you have to let it cool down before washing it.  You must dry it because it will rust if you do not.  So I usually make the espresso the night before, let it cool and put it in the fridge.  The amount of espresso produced would usually last me 2 days if I want my latte really strong, 3 if I want a regular buzz.  The good news is I am saving hundreds and the great news is I am making great latte at home.  It is up to you how much espresso, syrup and what kind of milk you use.  I usually just use about 1/2 tablespoon of syrup or more when I want it sweeter.

Iced Green Tea

Why buy green tea drink when it is so easy to make.  I usually make a big pitcher of it during the summer.  It takes about 7 teabags and I don't add the honey until I pour it into the glass.  It is so refreshing without any after taste you sometimes get from a can!