From NBC's Athena Jones
It's not just French President Nicolas Sarkozy who likes his espresso.

Actor Tom Hanks has donated a new-and-improved espresso machine to the White House press corps.

It now sits just a few feet away from the smaller, less shiny machine he provided the press during the Bush administration.

The Pasquini Livia 90 Auto machine runs nearly $2,000, according to the product's Web site.

Hanks visited the old machine in the press area at the White House in March when he and Steven Spielberg came for a private screening with the Obamas of the HBO series "The Pacific."

Ingredients:

1/4 cup / 40 g fresh pineapple
1/4 cup / 60 ml tomatillo puree
juice of two limes
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, chopped
1 teaspoon Hawaiian sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
1 tablespoo fresh mint, chopped
diced chile pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Place all the ingredients, except cilantro, mint and chile pepper, in theProfessional Series container in order listed and secure the lid.  Select VARIABLE 1. Turn on machine and quickly increase speed to VARIABLE 10; then to HIGH.  Blend for 20 seconds or until smooth.

2. Decrease speed to VARIABLE 4.  Remove the lid plug and add cilantro, mint and chile pepper.  Replace the lid plug.  Blend for an additional 10 seconds.

Yield: 1 cup / 240 g (4 servings)

Serving Ideas:  Serve with tacos, dips or grilled chicken.

per serving - one serving equals 1/4 cup / 60 g
20 calories | trace fat (6% calories from fat) | 0 g protein | 6 g carbohydrate | 1 g dietary fiber + 0 mg choleterol | 577 mg sodium |

RECIPE FROM Vitamix CREATE Recipe Book

Grandma Kiefer’s Apple Pancakes

This is a very simple recipe...and it tastes GREAT!  I have made these 3 times in the last month! 

--Pancake Batter: sift together
                ¾ C flour
                ½ t salt
                1t baking powder
--Add to the following mixture:
                2 beaten eggs
                2/3 C milk
                1/3 C water
                ½ t vanilla
                2 T Aspen Mulling Spices

--fold in 4-6 apples—peeled and sliced very thinly (I use a peeler like this one)
--melt 1 T butter on griddle or in frying pan
--spoon batter onto griddle and fry until golden brown on both sides
--sprinkle pancakes with extra Aspen Mulling Spices if desired.