We all love a nice cocoa in the evening or when we come in from a brisk walk with the family. But instead of the same old milk to chocolate ratio, why not add a little something more to your hot chocolate next time you make it?
Fancy hot chocolate recipe
If you’re looking for something a little bit fancy…
Ingredients
1 vanilla pod, split and seeds scraped out
1 cinnamon stick
1 litre/1¾ pints milk
150g/5½oz plain chocolate, chopped into small pieces
sugar, to taste
freshly grated nutmeg, for dusting
Preparation method
Heat the vanilla pod and seeds, cinnamon stick and milk in a saucepan until boiling.
Remove the pan from the heat and add the chocolate pieces, stirring until the chocolate melts.
Whisk the hot chocolate vigorously until frothy on top and add sugar, to taste. Serve with a dusting of nutmeg.
Serves 4
See here for Annabel Karmel’s top winter recipes for kids!
Something a bit simpler
ingredients
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 to 2 tablespoons sugar (depending on how sweet you like it)
Pinch of salt
1 cup milk or any combination of milk, half-and-half, or cream
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Method
Whisk together the cocoa, sugar, salt, and about 2 tablespoons milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until cocoa and sugar are dissolved. Whisk in the rest of the milk and heat it over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until it is hot. Stir in the vanilla and serve.
If you like it frothy, blend it in the blender.
This recipe multiplies easily. When you get up to a quart of milk, use 1/4 teaspoon salt.
Something a bit different…
Peppermint hot chocolate. (Serves 4)
Ingredients
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 quart milk
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (3 ounces)
7 peppermint sticks; 3 crushed (1/4 cup), 4 left whole
pinch of salt
Method
Place cocoa in a medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in milk until cocoa has dissolved. Add chocolate chips and crushed peppermint; simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until chocolate and peppermint have melted, 8 to 10 minutes.
Bring to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Add salt. Ladle into mugs; serve each with a peppermint stick.
Serve warm to red cheeks and enjoy!
maternity&infant
Originally posted 2014-11-20 15:47:48.