Hot Chocolate Image Used Under Creative commons License From chowstatic.com
Citizens – this is for the real deal – not for the weight-conscious or the lactose-intolerant! As we are now into the Holiday Season, I thought nothing could be more comforting than a steaming mug of the finest hot chocolate you will ever taste!
I am not fond of ‘fruity’-style chocolates such as Valrhona or many South American single-source products – I prefer darker flavors such as those found in E. Guittard or Lindt. My hot chocolate uses a blend of 70% and 60% dark chocolates that suit my palate, plus the finest cocoa powder in the world – Drost, from Holland (the Dutch invented – unsurprisingly – the Dutch process of creating non-bitter tasting cocoa powder!)!
The secret to my hot chocolate is the barest hint of – wait for it – Earl Grey and Green tea! You won’t even know it’s in there, but it balances the flavors of the dark chocolates perfectly and adds a healthy dose of antioxidants as well! Of course, I specify only the finest dairy products and homemade vanilla extract made with cognac! I add a final bit of luxuriousness by whisking in a small amount of butter to add a glossy sheen and even more flavor.
You can add toasted marshmallows and/or whipped cream if you want to gild the lily – but I’ll take mine straight, thank you very much! Don’t compromise on this recipe, , I assure you as the unfailing compass of good taste! 🙂
1/8 teaspoon cognac vanilla – to make cognac vanilla, get a fresh vanilla bean, cut lengthwise and then crosswise exposing the tiny seeds. Put into an airtight container and pour on 2.5 oz. cognac or brandy per bean. Every 2 or 3 days, shake the bottle. After about 2 or 3 weeks, you’ll have a new taste sensation in vanilla flavoring!
Pinch of salt
Tiny pinch of nutmeg
1/3 cup full fat whole milk (preferably from a Jersey cow and organic)
1/3 cup half and half (preferably from a Jersey cow and organic)
1 teaspoon cold butter (preferably Irish)
Toasted mini-marshmallows – optional, I typically don’t use them
Whipped cream – optional
Instructions
Shave or grate the 70% chocolate until you get 6 tightly-packed tablespoons. Shave or grate the 60% chocolate until you get 2 tightly packed tablespoons.
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine grated chocolate, cocoa powder, cognac vanilla, milk, half and half, nutmeg and salt. Slowly bring to a boil, over low heat, whisking continuously. When boiling starts, whisk for 10 seconds more. Immediately remove saucepan from heat and pout hot chocolate into a bowl.
Whisk the cold butter into the mixture until completely melted and gives a glossy sheen to the hot chocolate. Let hot chocolate rest at least 10 minutes (or preferably overnight to maximize flavor and texture). Gently reheat until warm, not boiling – strain, serve with optional marshmallows and/or whipped cream and ENJOY.
Category:Beverages, Recipes
Nutrition
Calories:139.04 kcal
Sugar:3.98 g
Sodium:59.95 mg
Fat:9.94 g
Saturated Fat:5.92 g
Trans Fat:0.04 g
Carbohydrates:17.68 g
Fiber:8.78 g
Protein:6.05 g
Cholesterol:12.25 mg
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