Hot Chocolate

Looking for a warm, chocolatey hug? One mug of Hot Chocolate coming right up! 😉

Welcome to The Foodscape’s first post of 2018! I hope the new year is off to a great start for you, Dear Reader! ❤

The Foodscape has always been a cheerful space, with bright colours and happy talk. However, if I’m being honest, I haven’t been feeling too chipper lately. Which is why I’ve been away. At my core I felt that writing a glum blog post to start the year off would be taking away from the sunny vibe of the blog. But then I thought, ‘honesty – that’s got to amount to something, doesn’t it’?

The boyfriend and I began the year with a midnight trip to the beach. It was pristine – the breeze, the sound of the waves crashing on the shore, the sea sparkling in the moonlight. But the next few days, I saw myself stuck, feeling unmotivated and unable to muster up my creative sensibilities. In an attempt to push myself to be grateful for my countless blessings, I  started an Instagram story series titled ‘Grateful for’ – an ode to the little joys of life. Yet, I wasn’t able to blog, do any food photography, or even read a good book. I still haven’t been able to put a finger on what is causing me to feel that way.

I woke up this chilly morning feeling the exact same way. And then I thought, if there’s one way to beat this pattern, it is to turn on my laptop and blog! That and treat myself to a large mug of the silkiest, dark Hot Chocolate adapted from Bon Appetit’s recipe for the Best Hot Chocolate. Seriously, it is the BEST! So, before I go indulge, let me share with you my kinda-sorta tweaked recipe for the most delightful mug of thick, creamy Hot Chocolate you’ve ever had!

This recipe serves 2. Here’s what you need:

• Full Fat Milk – 1 & 1/2 cups
• 70% Dark Chocolate – 85 g, roughly chopped
• Cocoa Powder – 1 tbsp
• Dark Brown Sugar – 2 tbsp
• Ground Cinnamon – 1/4 tsp
• Sea Salt – a pinch
• Marshmallows – a handful
• Heavy Cream – to drizzle over the top

Here’s how you make this simple, 5-minute hot chocolate:

• Place a pot filled with 80 ml of water on medium heat and bring it to a simmer. Add in the cocoa powder, cinnamon and sea salt and whisk until no lumps remain.
• Pour in the milk and bring the mixture to a boil. While whisking, add in the chocolate and brown sugar. Stir frequently at short intervals.
• Allow to simmer for about 3 minutes. When the chocolate has melted completely and the hot chocolate is luscious and thickens up, take it off the heat and pour it into mugs.
• Thread a few marshmallows with a skewer and toast them over an open flame, rotating frequently. Once they’re nicely caramelised and a bit charred, take them off the skewer and pop them into the mugs of hot chocolate. Drizzle with a swirl of heavy cream and drink up!

Much like chasing butterflies (like I had the joy of doing last morning!) and watching the moon follow your car through the backseat window on your way home; cozying up with a mug of hot chocolate on a chilly day is a childhood pleasure. And I like to keep it that way; so no spiking it with alcohol for me, thank you! I want pure, sinful chocolate, coating my palate and giving me a moustache as I dive right in. And that’s exactly what you get! 😛

This Hot Chocolate is rich and velvety, unlike the runny, watered-down store bought versions. Just sweet enough to really let that 70% dark chocolate shine; and downright delicious to the last sip! And that hint of cinnamon makes a world of difference. But if you’re not a fan, leave it out. It’s amazing both ways! It’s SO good, I almost want lick my mug… almost. 😀

I take my Hot Chocolate piping hot, because I love the feeling of it flowing down my throat and filling my tummy up, getting me all warm inside. Give me a mug and I’m instantly transported to my happy place, comfy and never moving!

So, if like me, you’re trying to beat the blues; want some ‘me-time’, tucked away with a book; or would like to take a break from all of life’s stresses, give this recipe a whirl. Trust me, this hot chocolate is comfort in a mug!

Have you been gloomy for days on end with no reason in sight? How do you beat the blues? I’d love to hear about your favourite comfort food too! Tell me in the comments below. ❤

For regular updates on what’s happening in The Foodscape kitchen, follow us on Instagram at @thefoodscape! You’ll love all the deliciousness there, I promise! ❤

Advertisement