The ubiquitous coffee pot has uses far beyond the essential caffeine jolt. Sure, java provides the necessary boost after a long night of studying (or partying), but your humble, coffee-making machine often sits alone, unused for the remaining 23 hours of the day. When you don’t have a full kitchen at your disposal, it can come in handy in other ways.
When you consider the fundamental role of a coffee maker – to brew hot water – it’s clear that the appliance is one of the most versatile items in your kitchen, dorm room, barracks or college apartment. Just think about how many meals start with hot water! And let’s not forget the hot plate, the electric base also functions as a mini griddle.
A coffee maker takes up minimal space and the recipe ideas below require only water and a few inexpensive ingredients to create meals and snacks. Here are seven great ideas for maximizing the capabilities of your coffee maker.
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How to make coffee pot ramen noodles
Fill the water reservoir with the recommended amount of water on your ramen package (typically 2 cups for a 3-ounce packet). Add dry noodles to your carafe along with the seasoning packet. Start brewing. Let the noodles cook in the hot water until they reach your desired texture.
Bonus: This technique also works with instant mac ‘n cheese and instant rice.
How to make coffee pot hot dogs
Fill the entire water reservoir with water. Add as many hot dogs as desired to the carafe (halve the hot dogs if necessary, so they fit inside the carafe). Starting brewing. Let the hot dogs cook in the hot water for 5 minutes after the brewing cycle is complete.
Fork them out and serve on a bun with your favorite condiments.
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How to make coffee pot pasta and sauce
Fill the entire water reservoir with water. Add dried pasta to the carafe, filling the pot no more than halfway with dried noodles. If necessary, break up longer noodles like spaghetti and linguine so they fit in the pot. Start brewing. Let the pasta cook in the hot water until tender (timing depends on pasta shape, so test after about 10 minutes). Drain the water.
If you want to warm the sauce with your pasta, add your favorite pasta sauce to the pot and set the pot back on the hot plate for a few minutes to heat through.
How to make coffee pot couscous
The pasta process also works with couscous. Add 1 ¼ cups of water to the reservoir and 1 cup of couscous to the carafe. Brew. Let the couscous cook until the water is absorbed. Season as desired when finished cooking with butter, salt and black pepper.
How to make coffee potsilver dollar pancakes
Prepare your favorite pancake batter as directed on the package (for easy preparation, choose a mix that simply requires water). Cover the hot plate with a small piece of foil. Spray the foil with cooking spray. Turn on the coffee maker to preheat the hot plate (do not add water to the reservoir). Add a small spoonful of pancake batters to the hot plate. When the middle is bubbly and the edges look “dry”, flip and cook until the second side is golden brown and the pancake is cooked through.
Note: This will take longer than using your griddle!
Serve with butter, maple syrup, Nutella or your favorite pancake toppings.
How to make coffee pot grilled cheese
Cover the hot plate with foil. Spray the foil with cooking spray. Turn on the coffee maker to preheat the hot plate (do not add water to the reservoir). Trim the edges of two slices of bread so each slice fits on the burner; or use the rim of a glass to cut out a round sandwich. Butter one side of each slice. Place one buttered slice on the hot plate, top with cheese, top with second slice of bread, buttered side up. When the bottom is golden brown, flip and cook until the second side is golden and the cheese melts.
Bonus: This process also works to make quesadillas!
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How to make coffee pot blaunched vegetables
Fill the entire water reservoir with water. Add your favorite vegetables to the carafe. Great options include broccoli florets, cauliflower florets, carrots, green beans, snap peas, snow peas, corn and asparagus spears. Cut larger vegetable pieces into 2-inch chunks. Start brewing. Your vegetables will be perfectly tender-crisp after the brewing cycle is complete. Drain and season your vegetables with salt and black pepper, if desired.
How to make coffee pot hard boiled eggs
Fill the entire water reservoir with water. Place as many eggs in the carafe as desired. Start brewing. When brewing is complete, make sure the eggs are completely covered in water. If they’re not, add more water. Let the eggs cook in the hot water for 10 minutes, or until the eggs are cooked to your desired level of doneness.
Note: Since coffee makers have different wattages, the cooking time varies greatly. Your hard-boiled egg may take 20 to 30 minutes in a small coffee pot. I suggest you do a “test run” with one egg the first time. Once you know the cooking time, you can add more eggs to the carafe and cook with confidence. Remember, the more eggs you add to the carafe, the longer the cooking time.
Questions or comments? Email the culinary team at cooking@azcentral.com.
