Tantalizing Winter Libations - even Whole 30 approved!

My darling husband and I are currently house/dog/cat sitting for some friends, who just so happen to have a very nice espresso machine. Those who know me personally know of my love for all things coffee related! It's true - my latte love knows no bounds! However, since going Paleo I am limited to what I can make at home, as few coffee shops (if any) carry alternative milks other than soy.*

Anywhoodles, I have dearly missed my occasional cafe au lait, and I haven't yet been brave enough to bring my OWN milk and ask them to steam it for me.

Thus, with an espresso machine and time on my hands, I came up with two drinks in which I blend my favourite things - coffee, coconut milk, pumpkin.

Pumpkin Surprise Steamer:
1/2 can coconut milk (I use Goya)
2 tbsp pumpkin puree
cinnamon
nutmeg
splash of organic all natural almond extract

Place pumpkin puree in the bottom of a steaming/frothing pitcher. Sprinkle in cinnamon and nutmeg to your taste. Splash of almond extract (I used ~1/2 lidful). Pour coconut milk over the top.  Turn on steamer arm and submerge it into the liquid. Gently lower the pitcher until the steamer arm just breaks the surface of the liquid - it will make a sucking noise. If it makes a splattering/spewing noise, re-submerge and then try again. Take your time, do it slowly! This is how you create foam. Once you have created a bit of foam, re-submerge the steamer arm and bring the liquid up to 140 - 150 degrees. I opt for 140 because I want to drink it RIGHT NOW.

If you want it to look like a super professional steamer/latte, hold a spoon to the lip of the pitcher as you pour the mixture into a mug. This will keep the foam in the container, and then you can spoon or shake it  onto the top.

You could wait and sprinkle the cinnamon and nutmeg onto the foam instead of mixing it in! I just like it in my drink like a pumpkin pie. The almond adds a unique and wonderful flavour to the mixture, but you could use vanilla, peppermint, cinnamon... whatever your fave may be!

Real Pumpkin Spice Latte:
1 1/2 tbsp pumpkin puree
1/3 can coconut milk
cinnamon and nutmeg to taste
(if you are not Whole 30 and want some sweetness, add 1 tsp raw organic honey, or 1/2 tsp organic natural maple syrup)
1 shot espresso or 1 oz strongly brewed coffee

Pull or pour coffee/espresso into standard sized coffee mug. Follow steaming/foaming/pouring directions as listed above. Et voila, real pumpkin latte! And SO tasty! Much better than anythign Charbux could come up with =)

Now I just need to work on my gingerbread latte recipe....

(Boy, I need to start taking pictures!)

*note: Crossroads Cafe in Gladstone, OR has almond milk http://crossroadscoffeecafe.com/. Added bonus, my dad sometimes plays live music there, as do many other bands, so stop on by some weekend and partake!