The Chronicle-News Trinidad, Colorado Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020 Page 3 Hot Chocolate is a wonderful treat on a cold winter day. Fun with Hot Chocolate What a great way to soothe away cold days Catherine J. Moser like to use cocoa powder, sugar and whole Features Editor milk, but slivered, melted chocolate is actually The Chronicle-News very nice, as well, if I have some on hand. Chocolate aficionados have an ongoing de- Now that winter has seemed to hang bate about what kind of chocolate should be around forever, at least here’s a comforting used, what percent the cacao should be and Images by Pixabay thought for you to ponder — hot chocolate. so on to craft this yummy drink. Not being a And what a lovely thought that is. Warm, com- chocolate connoisseur myself, I cannot enter thick and rich that it’s basically the same as this little bit of fun and go set it on the page to forting and exceptionally delicious, hot choc- into any debate, but as a rule, I think going for drinking melted chocolate, which is a little off- run this week. The weather news I’m hearing olate can seem to make the worst of the cold the best would be a good rule. Why would you putting to me. And I’m not sure exactly why. I is that this week it will stay cold enough for all days a little less chilly. It is a beautiful thing! short yourself, when making this decadent adore chocolate, but drinking it this way, er, of us to enjoy whatever kind of hot chocolate When I began to collect the recipes for this cup of magic to enjoy? Some things are just well, no, thank you. The Mexican Hot Choco- floats our boats. It may even snow, which all piece, there was about 10 inches of snow on worth the extra price. late is more my speed with the hint of cinna- the snow bunnies out there will find, no doubt, the ground and so much ice on the street that Over the years, I’ve had my share of hot mon in it — sounds divine. enchanting. a nice cup of hot cocoa seemed like the perfect chocolate treats, but hadn’t thought about Are you a marshmallow fan? Well, here’s That probable snow news doesn’t thrill me idea. But as Colorado weather would have looking for a Jalapeno Hot Chocolate recipe your chance to enjoy them to your little old so much, but the hot chocolate idea does — it, today as I continue, it’s almost 60 degrees before now. Sure enough, when I began to look heart’s desire. Whether you like the big guys and what did I tell you? Winter isn’t over. Try outside and I don’t even need a jacket. One around, there it was. Now, I’m just dying to try or the minis, leave a little space at the top of not to get too excited for spring. Don’t drag out thing we know for sure, even though spring is it and see if it’s as good as I imagine it will be. the cup to accommodate a generous handful the lemonade and the ice cubes just yet and taunting us with her charms, the cold weather Simmering the sliced jalapeño in the milk to and you’re all set. It’s totally up to you if you keep your mugs handy for a little chocolatey hasn’t faded away altogether and it will sure- pull out the pepper flavor is a brilliant idea. want to eat them first or save them until the evening fun. You’re going to love every yum- ly snow once again before she gets here. Hot And I didn’t know you could smell a jalapeño end. Either way, you’re going to be happy. my sip. It’ sure to keep you quite cozy until the chocolate weather is not over, yet, I assure to see how hot it is, until now. But that makes Several days have passed since we hit that actual warm weather gets here to save us all. you. perfect sense to me — I’ll start doing that from lovely 60-degree mark that I was telling you Happy cooking and eating, everyone! There are a several ways to enjoy this mag- now on. about at the beginning of all this. Now, it’s — nificent beverage. And many of us have a pre- As for the Italian Hot Chocolate, I can’t Monday once again and I’m back at the desk Questions or comments? Please email: ferred way to make our own hot chocolate. I quite wrap my mind around this potion. It’s so trying to figure out a clever way to wrap up [email protected] ~ Everyone’s favorite drink for a perfect cozy winter evening treat ~ Smell them to determine how Mexican Hot Chocolate is made with cinnamon. spicy they are. If the jalape- nos are extra spicy, only add 4 pieces. If they smell mild, add all 6 halves. Set the saucepot over medium heat. Once the milk starts to warm, add the chopped chocolate and sugar. Stir until all the chocolate has melted into the milk and the mixture is very warm. Taste the hot chocolate for sweetness and heat. Add 1-2 more tablespoons of sugar if desired. Lower the heat and allow the hot chocolate to steep until the spice level is to your liking (usually 3–5 more minutes for me). Be careful not to boil. Hot Chocolate is a delicious drink and can be served with all kinds of goodies. Remove the vanilla bean, cinnamon stick, and jalape- recipe fills 2 average-sized ditional turned wood whisk hard peppermint candy. nos. Serve warm! mugs, keep in mind that it’s used in Latin America, as MOCHA COCOA: super rich, so you might want well as the Philippines, where 1 to 2 tablespoons pow- Super-Easy Almond to consider serving in 4 half- it is also called a batirol or ba- dered instant coffee. Hot Chocolate cupfuls instead. Garnish with tidor. Its use is principally for a dollop of whipped cream the preparation of hot bever- Spicy Jalapeño 3/4 cup milk and top with chocolate shav- ages such as hot chocolate, 1 packet instant hot choco- ings if desired. Serve imme- atole, cacao, and champur- Hot Chocolate late mix diately as the drink will con- rado.) or whisk to mix the hot 1/4 teaspoon pure almond tinue to thicken as it cools. chocolate vigorously until 4 cups whole milk extract 7 ounces, weight semi- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla *NOTE: Chocolate with at it’s frothy, 3 to 4 minutes, or sweet chocolate, chopped extract least 55 percent cocoa and up blend in a blender for about 2 1 vanilla bean Whipped cream or marsh- to 75 percent is recommended minutes. Serve hot. 1 stick cinnamon mallows, optional 2-3 fresh jalapeños in this recipe. Dark semi- 3 tablespoons sugar (or sweet chocolate around 55 Perfect Hot more to taste) Pour milk into microwav- percent will produce a sweet- able mug. Microwave on er drink that is more suitable Chocolate Pour the milk into a sauce- HIGH 1 minute 30 seconds or for milk/semisweet chocolate pot. Split the vanilla bean until heated through. (Do not 3/4 teaspoon vanilla lovers. If you’re a dark choco- extract down the middle to expose boil.) late fan, then go with 62-75 4 cups milk the seeds. Add the vanilla Stir in hot chocolate mix percent cocoa chocolate, as 1/3 cup hot water bean and cinnamon stick to and extracts until well blend- it will make a less sweet, in- 1/2 cup sugar ed. Top with whipped cream Dash salt the saucepot. tensely chocolate-y drink. 1/4 cup cocoa Cut the jalapenos in half. or marshmallows, if desired. Hot Chocolate topped with whipped cream. Miniature marshmallows Mexican-Style (optional) um-high heat, whisk together Hot Chocolate Easy Homemade Hot 3/4 cup of the milk, cream Mix sugar, cocoa and salt and sugar. Heat, whisking oc- 4 cups whole milk in medium saucepan; stir in Chocolate 2 (4-inch) cinnamon sticks casionally, until the mixture (preferably Ceylon) water. Bring to boil over me- 2 cups whole milk starts to bubble around the 1/4 cup granulated sugar dium heat, stirring constant- 1/4 cup granulated sugar edges. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ly; boil and stir 2 minutes. 2 tablespoons cocoa Meanwhile, in a small 8 ounces dark chocolate powder (preferably 70 percent) Add milk; stir and heat un- 1 cup chocolate chips (or bowl or liquid measuring cup til hot. Do Not Boil. Remove chopped chocolate) with a spout, whisk together from heat; add vanilla. Beat 1 teaspoon vanilla extract the remaining 1/4 cup milk In a medium saucepan, Whipped cream, for serving combine milk, cinnamon, with whisk until foamy. Top Chocolate shavings, for and cornstarch until well with a handful of miniature combined. As soon as the sugar and vanilla. Heat over serving medium until the mixture marshmallows, as desired. milk mixture bubbles around Makes about six (6-ounce) the edges, add in the milk begins to steam, stirring oc- In a small saucepan over casionally, about 5 minutes. servings. medium heat, bring milk to and cornstarch mixture and NOTES: whisk until heated through, While the mixture heats, simmer. Whisk in sugar and cut or break up the chocolate Recipe may be doubled. cocoa powder and stir un- about 1 minute.