What does Christmas time make you think of? For me it is a combination of rich traditions, cold nights, warm fires and lots of good food. This year I took an old Christmas time staple and put a little spice into it. My family ends up drinking an unhealthy amount of hot chocolate this year. We love it so much we decided to make a family rule that it is appropriate to make hot chocolate every night of Advent.
I am usually successful at tricking my wife into making it by going on about how good her's is and how no-one can make it like she can. It is amazing what bolstering someone's self esteem can get them to accomplish (or attempt to accomplish). One night my little ruse was unsuccessful; even more than that, when she caught on to the angle I was playing, she was indignant and refused to make the liquidy, chocolate goodness that I so craved. I knew it was up to me to satisfy my insatiable appetite.
On this particular night, not only was I craving hot chocolate, I also had an itch that could only be scratched by something particularly piquant. Though the addition of whiskey would have certainly satisfied my need, my situation has left my whiskey cupboard dismally destitute.
With cabinets thrown open, I search the racks for the ingredients that might produce the desired result. The following is what I beget and if I do say quite successfully.
I am usually successful at tricking my wife into making it by going on about how good her's is and how no-one can make it like she can. It is amazing what bolstering someone's self esteem can get them to accomplish (or attempt to accomplish). One night my little ruse was unsuccessful; even more than that, when she caught on to the angle I was playing, she was indignant and refused to make the liquidy, chocolate goodness that I so craved. I knew it was up to me to satisfy my insatiable appetite.
On this particular night, not only was I craving hot chocolate, I also had an itch that could only be scratched by something particularly piquant. Though the addition of whiskey would have certainly satisfied my need, my situation has left my whiskey cupboard dismally destitute.
With cabinets thrown open, I search the racks for the ingredients that might produce the desired result. The following is what I beget and if I do say quite successfully.
Spicy Christmas Cocoa:
2 cups of raw milk
1 cup of water
1 tablespoon of course/cracked peppercorns
2 pinches of grated nutmeg
1 pinch of salt
1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup of cocoa powder
1/8 cup of 100% maple syrup
2 cups of raw milk
1 cup of water
1 tablespoon of course/cracked peppercorns
2 pinches of grated nutmeg
1 pinch of salt
1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup of cocoa powder
1/8 cup of 100% maple syrup
Really you will want to adjust the ingredients to taste, but this should be a good springboard. Also, consider cyan pepper to heat things up. |