Vanilla Bean Iced Coffee Food

VANILLA BEAN ICED COFFEE

Steps:

• In a pitcher, stir the ground coffee into 4 cups water.
• Cover and let rest at room temperature overnight or for at least 12 hours.
• In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the vanilla beans, milk, and sugar.
• Bring the mixture to a simmer and immediately remove from the heat.
• Allow to steep for about 20 minutes.
• Select 4 tumblers.
• Strain the coffee through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl.
• Strain again through a coffee filter into a large, clean pitcher.
• Fill the glasses with ice cubes.
• Pour the coffee into the glasses, filling them within 1 inch of the rim.
• Top each glass with ¼ cup of the vanilla flavored milk.
• Garnish each drink with a vanilla bean pod and serve immediately.

HOMEMADE VANILLA BEAN COFFEE BLEND

Steps:

• Using a paring knife, scrape the seeds from the vanilla beans.
• Mix the scraped seeds with the coffee.
• For best results use a medium-bodied coffee from Kenya or Colombia.
• Transfer the mix into a coffee bag.
• Decorate with a lilac ribbon(use whichever is your favourite colour) and don't forget to add your personal message before you seal it up with a pretty sticker.
• Enjoy the season of Christmas, Hannukah and New Year!
• Note: You may substitute the vanilla beans with 1 or 2 tsps. of cinnamon or nutmeg powder for a different flavour. I haven't tried other flavours, but if you do, be sure to let me know in your comments how it turned out.