Hot Chocolate for a Snowy Day

I wasn't planning on doing a post this weekend.  Then I saw the weather report for the East Coast and decided I had to help in my own special way.  I decided to go the Food Network website and look up yummy recipes for Hot Chocolate by my favorite chefs.  Hopefully you will be able to try one of these delicious concoctions to help you stay warm and cozy during that mean ol' storm.

I

Alton Brown

Host of Iron Chef

Hot Cocoa

Ingredients

.  2 cups powdered sugar
.  1 cup cocoa (Dutch-process preferred)

2 1/2 cups powdered milk

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1 pinch cayenne pepper, or more to taste

Hot water

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and incorporate evenly. In a small pot, heat 4 to 6 cups of water.

Fill your mug half full with the mixture and pour in hot water. Stir to combine. Seal the rest in an airtight container, keeps indefinitely in the pantry. This also works great with warm milk

*****

Paula Deen
My favorite chef

Dreamy, Creamy Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 6 1/2 cups hot water
• Mini Marshmallows (optional)

Directions

In a large saucepan, combine sweetened condensed milk, cocoa, vanilla and salt; mix well. Over medium heat, slowly stir in water; heat through, stirring occasionally. DO NOT BOIL. Top with marshmallows, if desired.

Tip: Chocolate can be stored in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Mix well and reheat before serving.

*****

Barefoot Contessa
My favorite cookbook author


Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups whole milk
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 4 ounces milk chocolate, chopped
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon instant espresso or coffee powder
• 4 to 5 vanilla beans or cinnamon sticks, for garnish

Directions

Heat the milk and half-and-half in a saucepan on medium heat to just below the simmering point. Remove the pan from the heat and add both chocolates. When the chocolates are melted, add the sugar, vanilla extract, and espresso and whisk vigorously. Reheat gently and serve immediately. Use a vanilla bean or cinnamon stick to garnish each serving.

*****
And this one is for Sista....

Nigella Lawson
My Twin


Alcoholic Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

2 cups milk

3 1/2 ounces best-quality chocolate, bittersweet or 

semisweet

1 cinnamon stick

2 teaspoons honey

1 teaspoon brown sugar, plus more to taste

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons dark rum, or to taste

Directions

Put the milk into a saucepan and break the chocolate into 

pieces and add to the milk along with a cinnamon

 stick, honey, and sugar. Heat gently until the chocolate is

 melted.

Add the vanilla and mix with a small hand whisk; still 

whisking, add a spoonful of the rum first and taste to see if

 you want more (no point pouring in all at once as it's too

 late to do anything about it if it's too strong for you) and

 add more sugar if you want it sweeter. Take out the

 cinnamon stick and pour into 2 cappuccino or latte cups.

*****

Hope you are warm and safe and you enjoy every minute of the beautiful snowfall.