5 Days of Hot Chocolate

Let's Celebrate Friday...

There's a reason why I love Nigella Lawson. It's because she comes up with wonderful things like a hot chocolate spiked with rum. Quite a fabulous way to finish up our 5 Days of Hot Chocolate and celebrate Friday don't you think?

Alcoholic Hot Chocolate by Nigella Lawson

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

2 cups milk

3 1/2 ounces best-quality dark chocolate, bittersweet or semisweet, as preferred

1 cinnamon stick

2 teaspoons honey

1 teaspoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons dark rum, or to taste

Directions:

Put the milk into a saucepan and break the chocolate into pieces and add to the milk along with a cinnamon stick, honey, and sugar and heat gently until the chocolate is melted.

Add the vanilla and mix with a small hand whisk and still whisking, add a spoonful of the rum first and taste to see if you want more. Add more sugar if you want this sweeter, too. Take out the cinnamon stick and pour into 2 cappuccino or caffe latte cups.

"Chemically speaking, chocolate really is the world's perfect food."

- Michael Levine, Nutrition Researcher

Image via Food Network

5 Days of Hot Chocolate

A Dash of Spice

I tried my first spicy hot chocolate last year when we visited my father-in-law up in Michigan. He took us to a local chocolate shop that specialized in a spicy hot chocolate. The spice added such an amazing flavor to the chocolate! If you're a chocolate lover, this combination is definitely a must try.

This recipe is by Joy of Joylicious, one of my favorite food bloggers. She spiced up this hot chocolate with cinnamon, cardamom, and cayenne. When it comes to the chocolate she encourages us to use a high quality cocoa, such as Valrhona cocoa, which is known for for it's rich flavor and low fat content. Read her post here about the history of hot cocoa and it's health benefits.



Spicy Hot Chocolate by Joy of Joylicious

Ingredients:

4 cups skim milk (she used organic)

1/4 cup Valrhona cocoa

4 77% Dark cocoa discs

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. cardamom

1/2 tsp. cayenne

cocoa nibs and whipped cream for garnish

Directions:

Heat the milk in a medium saucepan at medium-high heat. Heat until milk is scalded or almost boiling, about 2 minutes. Mix in the cocoa powder, spices, and chocolate discs and let sit for 1 minute. Using a whisk or hand blender, whisk mixture until frothy. Serve hot and top with whipped cream and sprinkle generously with cocoa nibs. Garnish with hot chilies if desired.

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"Momma always said life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."

 - Forrest Gump

Image via Joylicious

5 Days of Hot Chocolate

Winter White

Paula Deen gives us this decadent spin on the classic hot chocolate by melting white chocolate chips in heavy cream. She never skimps on the good stuff, making the combination of white chocolate and cream a wonderful mid-week indulgence.

White Hot Chocolate by Paula Deen
Serves: 2 to 4

Ingredients:
1 cup white chocolate chips

1 cup heavy cream

4 cups half-and-half

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Vanilla whipped topping, for garnish

Directions:

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine white chocolate chips and heavy cream. Stir continuously until white chocolate chips have completely melted. Stir in the half-and-half, and vanilla extract. Stir occasionally until heated through. Pour into mugs and top with a dollop of vanilla whipped topping and garnish with mint leaf.

"A new British survey reveals that 9 out of 10 people like chocolate. The tenth lies."

- Robert Paul

 

Image via Food Network

5 Days of Hot Chocolate

A Hint of Peppermint

This is my husband's favorite version of hot chocolate. Most recipes call for peppermint extract, but I like Martha Stewart's recipe which calls for slowly melting in real peppermint with the chocolate. Make sure you don't forget to set aside a bit of peppermint to enjoy on the side!

Peppermint Hot Chocolate by Martha Stewart
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

Directions:

1. 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.
2. Bring to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Add salt. Ladle into mugs; serve each with a peppermint stick.

"Caramels are only a fad. Chocolate is a permanent thing."
- Milton Snavely Hershey



Image via Martha Stewart

5 Days of Hot Chocolate

Few things hit the spot during this chilly time of year like hot chocolate. Usually every other month of the year I prefer coffee, however during the winter months I always reach for the hot cocoa and the must-have bag of marshmallows to top it off.

Some people like their hot cocoa creamy, others prefer it with a tower of whipped cream, and some prefer it spicy (yes, spicy), but however you prefer your chocolate we can all agree, it's a good thing.

As an ode to the love of hot chocolate this week I give you...

5 Days of Hot Chocolate

Every day this week I will post one of my favorite hot chocolate recipes ranging from our beloved classic to something a little bit wicked. So sit back and enjoy the 5 Days of Hot Chocolate as we begin with...

The Classic

This classic recipe is made extra special Ina Garten style with two types of chocolate, a dash of coffee to boost the chocolate flavor, and a pretty cinnamon stick garnish.



Hot Chocolate by Ina Garten

Serves: 4 to 5

Cooking Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups whole milk

2 cups half-and-half

4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

4 ounces milk chocolate, chopped

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon instant espresso or coffee powder

4 to 5 vanilla beans or cinnamon sticks, for garnish

Directions:

Heat the milk and half-and-half in a saucepan on medium heat to just below the simmering point. Remove the pan from the heat and add both chocolates. When the chocolates are melted, add the sugar, vanilla extract, and espresso and whisk vigorously. Reheat gently and serve immediately. Use a vanilla bean or cinnamon stick to garnish each serving.



"I could give up chocolate but I'm not a quitter."
-- Author Unknown

Image via We Heart It