Chocolatey Hot Cocoa Food

CLASSIC HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Combine the milk, heavy cream, sugar, cocoa powder and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until the sugar and cocoa powder dissolve and the milk is steaming; do not boil.
• Whisk in half of the chopped chocolate until melted, then whisk in the remaining chocolate until smooth. Remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla. Pour into mugs and top with marshmallows or whipped cream.

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE HOT COCOA

Steps:

• Combine the chocolate chips, chocolate hazelnut spread, cocoa nibs and salt in a blender.
• Heat the almond milk until just about to simmer in a small saucepan. Pour the hot milk over the chocolate in the blender and allow it to sit for 30 seconds. Remove the middle section of the lid to allow steam to escape and hold a folded towel over the top of the lid, then begin blending the hot mixture on low speed, increasing the speed to high once it gets going. (Be careful not to go too high too quickly to prevent splattering.) Blend on high for 30 seconds. Pour into 4 mugs and serve.

CHOCOLATEY HOT COCOA

Steps:

• Combine chocolate chips, butter and vanilla in the top of a double boiler over low heat until melted and smooth.
• Slowly add half-and-half, blending into chocolate mixture.
• Heat through, but do not boil.

HOMEMADE HOT COCOA

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa and salt. Add water; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Stir in milk; heat to serving temperature (do not boil). Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Whisk until frothy. If desired, garnish with marshmallows, cream or cinnamon sticks.

CHOCOLATEY HOT COCOA FOR ONE

Steps:

• In a small, heavy saucepan, stir together the cocoa and sugar, crushing any lumps.
• First by approximately Tablespoons, and then in a slow steady stream, stir in the milk.
• Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly and scraping the bottom of the pan, just until bubbles appear at the sides.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla or liqueur.
• Top with ground nutmeg or cinnamon, whipped cream or marshmallows.

BEST EVER HOT COCOA MIX

Steps:

• Combine ingredients in large bowl.
• Working in two batches, pulse ingredients in food processor until chocolate is finely ground.
• Store in airtight container for up to 3 months.
• Too make hot cocoa, stir 1/3 cup of the mix into 1 cup of hot (not boiling) milk.
• Top with whipped cream or mini marshmallows and a little chocolate powder. I sometimes use cinnamon or nutmeg powder, instead. A little brandy and a crackling fire make for a real treat!

HOMEMADE HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Heat the milk, cocoa, sugar and chocolate in a small pan over a medium heat until steaming and the chocolate has melted. Whisk to dissolve the cocoa.
• Pour into a mug, then add the cream to float on top. Grate over a little more chocolate to serve.