Page 40 - Indulge December/January 2016
P. 40
PUT SOME Few things are more comforting than
NEW TWISTS sitting under a warm afghan and sipping
a mug of steaming hot chocolate when
chocolateHotONACLASSIC. cold wind and snow are blowing outside.
Hot chocolate seems tailor-made for chilly
winter evenings, providing the perfect
indulgence while watching a favorite
holiday film, entertaining friends around the
holidays or warming up after a day spent
building snowmen.
The terms “hot chocolate” and “hot
cocoa” are used interchangeably, but they
actually refer to two different beverages.
Hot chocolate is made from shaved solid
chocolate, which contains both cocoa and
cocoa butter. Hot cocoa is made from cocoa
powder, which alone does not constitute
full chocolate. Either drink can be delicious,
and many people prefer one over the other.
While traditional hot chocolate is a
favorite for many, there are ways to make
this beloved beverage more unique. By
experimenting with flavor combinations, hot
chocolate can become new again each day.
The following are some flavorful ingredients
you may want to try to spice up your next
cup of hot chocolate.
40 | INDULGE • DECEMBER/JANUARY 2016 CARAMEL: Pair a rich, dark or semi- WHIPPED CREAM: Create the flavor
sweet hot chocolate with a swirl of combination of a chocolate cream pie
caramel. The caramel will add sweetness with a generous dollop of whipped cream.
and extra creaminess to the blend. For a truly rich flavor, make a batch of
fresh whipped cream, which will also
PEPPERMINT: Peppermint and hot thicken the hot chocolate.
chocolate can make for an interesting
contrast. The cooling nature of peppermint COCONUT MILK: Invoke the tropics by
works nicely with the heat of hot chocolate, substituting coconut milk for regular milk.
imparting a wonderful aroma as well. Melt You may feel like you’re on your own
a candy cane or mint from a restaurant in private island.
the mug and enjoy.
PEANUT BUTTER: Few people can resist
NUTMEG: What nutmeg does for eggnog the combination of chocolate and peanut
it also can do for hot chocolate. Nutmeg butter. Melt a spoonful of peanut butter
offers that earthy bite that calls to mind into the beverage and enjoy.
long days baking in the kitchen.
LIQUEUR: Enhance hot chocolate with
CHILE POWDER: Chile can add a little kick your favorite liqueurs. Orange and
to hot chocolate that works surprisingly raspberry flavorings work well, or try a
well. Add just enough to offer a little tingle creamy spirited beverage, like Kahlua or
of residual heat at the back of your throat. Irish cream.
This concoction also may help clear up a
case of congestion or the sniffles. MARSHMALLOWS: Of course one of
the simplest ways to dress up hot
COFFEE: Add a splash of coffee to the chocolate is to fill the mug to the
hot chocolate for an instant boost of brim with sweet marshmallows.
caffeine and some mocha flavoring.
NEW TWISTS sitting under a warm afghan and sipping
a mug of steaming hot chocolate when
chocolateHotONACLASSIC. cold wind and snow are blowing outside.
Hot chocolate seems tailor-made for chilly
winter evenings, providing the perfect
indulgence while watching a favorite
holiday film, entertaining friends around the
holidays or warming up after a day spent
building snowmen.
The terms “hot chocolate” and “hot
cocoa” are used interchangeably, but they
actually refer to two different beverages.
Hot chocolate is made from shaved solid
chocolate, which contains both cocoa and
cocoa butter. Hot cocoa is made from cocoa
powder, which alone does not constitute
full chocolate. Either drink can be delicious,
and many people prefer one over the other.
While traditional hot chocolate is a
favorite for many, there are ways to make
this beloved beverage more unique. By
experimenting with flavor combinations, hot
chocolate can become new again each day.
The following are some flavorful ingredients
you may want to try to spice up your next
cup of hot chocolate.
40 | INDULGE • DECEMBER/JANUARY 2016 CARAMEL: Pair a rich, dark or semi- WHIPPED CREAM: Create the flavor
sweet hot chocolate with a swirl of combination of a chocolate cream pie
caramel. The caramel will add sweetness with a generous dollop of whipped cream.
and extra creaminess to the blend. For a truly rich flavor, make a batch of
fresh whipped cream, which will also
PEPPERMINT: Peppermint and hot thicken the hot chocolate.
chocolate can make for an interesting
contrast. The cooling nature of peppermint COCONUT MILK: Invoke the tropics by
works nicely with the heat of hot chocolate, substituting coconut milk for regular milk.
imparting a wonderful aroma as well. Melt You may feel like you’re on your own
a candy cane or mint from a restaurant in private island.
the mug and enjoy.
PEANUT BUTTER: Few people can resist
NUTMEG: What nutmeg does for eggnog the combination of chocolate and peanut
it also can do for hot chocolate. Nutmeg butter. Melt a spoonful of peanut butter
offers that earthy bite that calls to mind into the beverage and enjoy.
long days baking in the kitchen.
LIQUEUR: Enhance hot chocolate with
CHILE POWDER: Chile can add a little kick your favorite liqueurs. Orange and
to hot chocolate that works surprisingly raspberry flavorings work well, or try a
well. Add just enough to offer a little tingle creamy spirited beverage, like Kahlua or
of residual heat at the back of your throat. Irish cream.
This concoction also may help clear up a
case of congestion or the sniffles. MARSHMALLOWS: Of course one of
the simplest ways to dress up hot
COFFEE: Add a splash of coffee to the chocolate is to fill the mug to the
hot chocolate for an instant boost of brim with sweet marshmallows.
caffeine and some mocha flavoring.
