Friday 27 September 2013

Lots happening at Couva HQ!!

We've been busy little bees here at Couva HQ... 

Photo: Andrew Bertam

It's Macmillan Cancer Support's World's Biggest Coffee morning today. There have been lots of lovely smells emerging from the Couva kitchens in preparation for the bake sales... brownies, banana muffins, chocolate peanut butter squares...yum! 
If you're not able to attend a coffee morning but would still like to support this wonderful cause, please follow the link to donate: 
http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Donate/

Preparations are nearly complete for the Thame Food Festival taking place tomorrow, September 28th from 9am until 5pm in the lovely village of Thame. 
We're going to be along North Road, and hope that you'll stop by to say hello! 
We'll be launching our newest product, the Couva Cup and would love to know what you think about them! 

And last, but not least, the head chief of technological wizardry is just putting the finishing touches on our brand spanky new website... www.couva.co.uk

Have a great weekend! 

Thursday 26 September 2013

Phyllo Cups with Cappuccino Cream

While browsing (a.k.a. procrastinating!!) on Pinterest this morning, I came across this lovely little dessert from Martha Stewart which looks really simple but totally scrummy. (*Did I mention that Couva is on Pinterest? Check out our pages here!)

photo credit

They are easy to make and take no time at all to whip together. The best thing is that they can be made in advance so that when you have people over, you don't need to waste precious "friends & family" time slaving away in the kitchen. You can also make these a little more "grown-up" by adding some liqueur before whipping the cream.... Deelish! 

(makes 6 servings)


  • 3 sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
  • 1 cup double cream
  • 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom or cinnamon
  • Coarse salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder

1. Preheat oven to 325 F/ 170 C/ Gas Mark 3.  Lay 1 sheet phyllo on a work surface.  (*Remember to cover the remaining sheets with a lightly damp towel because it keeps them from drying out). 
2. Brush phyllo with one-third the butter and sprinkle with one-third the sugar. 
3. Lay another sheet of phyllo on the top, brushing with butter and sprinkling with sugar. 
4. Repeat once more. 
5. Cut the layered phyllo into 6 equal pieces and gently press each square into a cup of a standard muffin pan, making sure that you press the phyllo right down to the bottom of the cup (because you want LOTS of space for the cappuccino cream!).
6. Bake until the phyllo is golden brown, about 20 minutes. Rotate halfway through baking. Keep an eye on it  because it can burn quite quickly! 
7. Let the cups cool completely on a wire rack.  
*If you are making these ahead, once the cups are cool, they can be stored in an airtight container. 
8. While the cups are cooling,  combine espresso powder in a medium bowl with a small amount cream and stir until powder dissolves. 
9. Stir in remaining cream, condensed milk, cardamom/cinnamon, and pinch of salt. Optional (but oh, so yummy!): add 1 tablespoon of liqueur like Bailey's or Kahlua.... with maybe a little taste for the cook!
10. Whisk the cream mixture until firm but do not over-whip.
11. Refrigerate the cream until ready to serve (up to 2 days). 
12. Just before serving, give the cappuccino cream a thorough stirring, and spoon into the phyllo cups.  
13. Sprinkle the tops with cocoa powder or some shaved chocolate curls. 

Serve immediately... I don't think they'll last too long! 
Enjoy!

Wednesday 25 September 2013

Time for coffee with a friend...

I came across this little story while on Facebook today... It's a great analogy for those of us who try to do too much in the time we have available.  
It's a great reminder that it's important to make the important things a priority, and put the little insignificant time-consuming tasks a little lower on the list of priorities.  
This is one of the key ideas about Couva... By helping to keep your coffee hotter for longer, Couva helps you to enjoy the good times with friends and family for longer! 
Photo Credit
A professor stood before his philosophy class. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of small pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly and the pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
Next, the professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up the space between the golf balls and pebbles. Once more, the professor asked if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “YES.”
Photo Credit
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the stand. The students laughed.
“Now,” said the professor, as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things – family, children, health, friends, and passions. Things, that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter to you – your job, house, and car. The sand is everything else – “the small stuff.”
“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “There is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you…
“So… pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take your partner out to dinner. Spend time with good friends. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the dripping tap. Take care of the golf balls first – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled and said, “I’m glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for coffee with a friend."

Photo Credit


Friday 20 September 2013

World's Biggest Coffee Morning September 27th, 2013




Macmillan Cancer Support is holding their annual "World's Biggest Coffee Morning" next week on Friday September 27th to raise funds to support people with cancer. 

Cancer now affects 1 in 3 people which is a shocking number. Macmillan Cancer Support provides support to those suffering from the disease as well as much-needed funding to cancer research. 

Last year's coffee morning raised over £15 million pounds, and they are hoping to raise more funds this year. 



Last year, my own family was touched by cancer when my mum underwent treatment for advanced stages of lung cancer. Thankfully, she is in remission, but was cared for throughout her treatment by the wonderful Macmillan nurses. 
This year, I'll be involved in 2 different coffee mornings, one at my son's school and one at my office. 


Will you be taking part in the world's biggest coffee morning? 

Click HERE to find a coffee morning near you.

If you'd like to hold your own event, visit the Macmillan website for details of how to raise funds for this worthy cause

Thursday 19 September 2013

How is your week going?

I don't know about you, but this week has proven to be a busy one! 




But, chin up! It's almost Friday! 


Monday 9 September 2013

Misty Moisty Monday Morning

Photo credit

Autumn seems to have arrived here in Oxford. On Friday, I was lounging on a blanket, enjoying the sunshine and warm breezes during a lunch time picnic. Just a few days later I'm at my desk, a bit damp from the rain, huddled under that same picnic blanket with a hot water bottle on my lap to keep warm!! 


While I'm not quite ready for the cooler rainy months ahead, there are lots of nice things about the Autumn. Like baking deliciously warming apple crumbles, foraging for blackberries, and enjoying bowlfuls of piping hot soup. Not to mention mugfuls of gorgeous coffee!! 

Photo credit

Over the coming months, I'll be sharing with you some of my favourite recipes that are a perfect match for the chill in the air! I hope you enjoy sharing them with friends and family as much as I'll enjoy sharing them with you. 


Monday 2 September 2013