Here's to New Addictions

Earlier on in this pregnancy, Little Man was giving me some serious problems.  Among them, migraines.  I ended up going on a narcotic for the really bad ones, but Doc also recommended caffeine.  The only problem with that is that the kind of coffee I drink has about 8 ingredients, is blended and costs around $4 a pop.  In other words, my Starbucks addiction is not very economical, even with a gold card.

But a few days ago, Michael sent me a link to squawkfox.com that had a recipe for a homemade frap.  Yesterday, I made my first attempt, and today, as I type this, I have my second frap, which squawkfox estimates comes in at a not-so-hefty $.32!  And I am totally content.  I really can't tell the difference.  So here's the recipe.  I halved it, threw everything in my Magic Bullet, and voila! 

1 cup double-strength coffee or 3/4 cup espresso, cold
3/4 cup milk, whatever kind you want
3 Tbsp sugar (or to taste)
2 cups ice
pinch xanthan gum

I guess the "trick" is the xanthan gum, which keeps it from separating.  I actually had this on hand because it's a staple in gluten-free baking, but it's not super-cheap.  I'm thinking you'll survive without it.  However, if you DO use it, here's a very important tip: DO NOT USE MORE THAN A PINCH!  I put in-- I don't know-- 1/8-1/4 of a tsp-- the first time, and the drink turned to goop.  Xanthan gum is a thickener.  When I dumped out my texturely inadequate first attempt, it just thwapped into the sink and stayed there.  Gross. 

But my second and third attempts... caffeinated heaven!