La Greca: Dominican coffee and morning mochas

Before there existed the Keurig and Mr. Coffee single-serving coffee makers and with their fancy coffee packets and many-flavored pods, where the touch of a button will supposedly deliver the perfect mug of your favorite morning vice, there was an old-school method for creating the perfect cup of joe: La Greca. 

This little beauty is a Dominican household staple. With just three pieces, its about as simple as it gets. No coffee filters, no pods. Just pure and simple old-fashioned goodness. 
(P.S. Please forgive the not-so-prettiness of our Greca. It has been used fondly and frequently for years now and all the love has left its mark)

Step 1: Fill the bottom piece with water. 

Step 2: Set the middle piece on top of the bottom pieces and scoop in two spoonful's of your favorite brand of coffee (Santo Domingo brand is the most popular in these parts).

Step 3: Add a dash of cinnamon. Ok so this part isn't really a Dominican thing, I just found that it tastes amazing. 

Step 4: Screw on the top piece, turn on your burner, and plop the whole thing right down on top. Now all you have to do is wait. 
Or if you are like me, you can take this time to turn your perfect cup of coffee into the perfect morning mocha.  . 

All you have to do is grab your Almond milk (of course you could use real milk too, but we're trying to keep this a nice a low calorie beverage, plus I love the slightly nutty flavor it gives) and fill a mug half full, then warm it in the microwave for about a minute. 

By this time, your Greca should be steaming, the tell-tale sign that you've just brewed a wonderful mug of goodness and it's all set to go. 

Fill the rest of your mug with your just-brewed coffee and two heaping spoonful's of cocoa powder. We want this baby nice and chocolaty. 

Lastly, sweeten to taste. For me, that's one teaspoon of raw sugar for just a hint of sweetness. 

Your mocha is best enjoyed outdoors in the morning sunshine where you can watch as the world comes alive. It also goes well with stacks of paper that need grading and late-night movies with friends. Up to you :)
Have a beautiful day!