It is just one of those days today. I am sad, life is a bit too hard and the world outside is definitely too cold. I got a chill walking to the library and grocery store. Came home craving real homemade hot chocolate. It is just one of those days.
When I was a kid, I grew up drinking tea. Hot chocolate was something we would have once a year when we went to see the Santa Claus parade in Toronto or watch it at home with popcorn. When I wanted it again as a kid, I used to make it from scratch. I do not remember how I found the recipe but I do remember making it on the stovetop before I was 10 years old with zero supervision. I knew that “real” hot chocolate tasted so much better than the powdered mix and I was going to have that, damn it! I would make it but there would still be something missing until I remembered to sprinkle some ground nutmeg on top and that was it, suddenly I had my version of real hot chocolate to make me feel better.
Here is just one of many different ways to make hot chocolate/hot cocoa at home without a mix. I came up with this technique and recipe myself!
This recipe is for one since I am all on my own today. I got a mug of skim milk, about 2 tbsp of chocolate chips and put 2 tbsp of water with 1 tsp of cocoa and 1 tsp of sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat.
And of course, I grated some freshly ground nutmeg on top. It was delicious. Yes, homemade hot chocolate will separate and the chocolate will fall to the bottom and it is messy but it also tastes real. There is love in this cup and with good quality cocoa and chocolate you are actually ingesting healing properties with this drink.
There are so many recipes out there for specialty hot chocolates with chili powder, mint extract, booze… Me, I want the classic hot chocolate flavour that appeals to the sad little girl inside me who just wants to feel better. I hope it makes you feel better too.
What? No Kraft mini-marshmallows? Or homemade-from-scratch marshmallows for the Foodie Goddesses among us? I agree, Suzie: hot chocolate is a real comfort food!
Homemade hot chocolate was the treat my gram used to make for me and my sis in the winter – she lived next door and we’d run across the field after dinner to visit almost every evening! I remember her using hershey’s canned syrup and whole milk – sooooo good.
Aw and bless your heart – I hope you feel better soon – inside and out. Really, I do.
Dianne
I know I’m a couple of days late, I do hope your feeling better.
Now I’m excited about finding chocolate recipes with booze in it!
I know I’m a secret lush.
Love hot chocolate but hate all those additives, this hot chocolate it the perfect solution. Thanks Susie!