sipping chocolate

please notice above that i said sipping chocolate, not hot chocolate or hot cocoa. this is miles beyond that stuff you get in a little pouch and you "just add water" to.

once you have seen how easy this method is, and taste how rich and creamy and sweet and amazing the results are, you just might toss out those silly little packets.

i picked this up at the local co-op the other day, and was surprised to learn once i popped it open at home, that it is just good, shaved chocolate. that's all folks. nothing more.

i have been using this, but really all you need is some milk/non dairy alternative and a bar of good quality (read: not hersheys) chocolate and, voila!, you have some silky smooth sipping chocolate. i would suggest newman's own, ghiradhelli, theo, vosges, godiva or any other brand of nice chocolate bar. you don't want the cheap stuff here since all you will taste is that chocolate flavor. do not use chocolate chips, they have stabilizers in them and so they won't melt as nicely as the bar.

heat 1 cup of milk/soy/almond/or rice milk in a small pot over medium heat. once it starts steaming, but not boiling, drop in 3T of your finely chopped chocolate and whisk until smooth and foamy.

see how easy that was?

tonight i added a couple dashes of cinnamon and a few drops pure vanilla extract as i was whisking. the other night i added a few drops of almond extract. so good.

you can add- cinnamon. almond, vanilla or peppermint extract. a drizzle of caramel. some shredded coconut and a few drops almond extract (almond joy!). a little peppermint schnappes. vanilla bean marshmallows. a dash of cayenne or chili powder. tequila.

next time you are at the grocery store, grab a fancy bar of chocolate and enjoy!