Flaming Cafe Brulot

Ingredients 4 whole allspice berries 4 whole cloves 1 cinnamon stick 3 inches long (broken) zest from 2 large oranges (colored part of the rind, slivered) zest from 1/2 large lemon (slivered) 8 sugar cubes or 8 teaspoons sugar 4 cups hot, strong coffee 1/2 cup brandy 1/4 cup Curacao or other orange-flavored liqueur Nutritional Information 1 serving: Calories 73 Saturated Fat 0g Total Fat 0g Protein 1g Carbohydrate 7g Fiber 0g Sodium 3mg Cholesterol 0mg

Introduction: The Cajuns, who arrived in New Orleans in the mid-1700s, came from southern France via the Acadian colony of Nova Scotia. Many of their foods, such as this Cafe Brulot, are French. (Cafe is coffee, and brulot refers to the burning brandy.) Makes 8 demitasse (4-ounce) servings. Preparation time: 15 minutes. Cooking time: 5 minutes. Step 1: Make a spice bag by placing the allspice, cloves, and cinnamon pieces in the center of small pieces of cheesecloth. Bring up the corners, and tie securely with cotton string. Set aside eight slivers of the orange zest for garnish. Step 2: In a brulot bowl, chafing dish, or medium-size saucepan, combine the remaining orange zest with the lemon zest, sugar cubes, and spice bag. Stir in 1 cup of the coffee, plus the brandy and Curacao. Simmer, uncovered, over moderately low heat for 5 minutes, stirring and mashing the zest and sugar cubes until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is hot. Using a slotted spoon, remove and discard the spice bag and zest. Step 3: Standing away from the coffee mixture, carefully ignite it with a wooden match. Stir in the remaining 3 cups of coffee, ladle into brulot or demitasse cups, and garnish with the orange zest.