HOT CHOCOLATE
With winter fast approaching, there are a couple of things you can look to equip yourselves with to get the best out of the oh-so-precious cool months of Bangladesh. One of the very important ones being recipes for hot chocolate! After all, with chocolate and warmth safely tucked away in your treasure chest of super powers, you can take on any challenge life throws at you… Or so I like to think.
Let's get you started with a basic recipe that's bound to be easy to whip up for the laziest of you lot.
INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 to 2 tbsp sugar (depending on how sweet you like it)
Pinch of salt
1 cup milk or any combination of milk, half-and-half, or cream
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
METHOD
Whisk together the cocoa, sugar, salt, and about 2 tablespoons milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until cocoa and sugar are dissolved. Whisk in the rest of the milk and heat it over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until it is hot. Stir in the vanilla and serve.
If you like it frothy, blend it in the blender.
This recipe multiplies easily. When you get up to a quart of milk, use 1/4 teaspoon salt.
This one stays pretty much the same when it comes to choice of ingredients, but if you're someone who likes to bring variation to the playground, you'll appreciate the preparations for this:
INGREDIENTS
3 1/2 cups sugar
2 1/4 cups cocoa
1 tbsp table salt
Whole milk for serving
DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, combine sugar, cocoa, and salt, and whisk to combine well. Store the mixture in an airtight container.
For individual servings, pour 1 cup whole milk into a microwave-safe mug, and microwave on high just until hot. Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa mix, and stir to dissolve. For a larger batch of cocoa, warm the milk in a saucepan set over medium-low heat, taking care not to let the milk boil; as it warms, stir in 2 tablespoons of mix for each cup of milk.
So there you have it –whether you want to snuggle in bed and watch movies with your loved ones (perhaps just the 'one' if you're a lucky individual during this fine season) or you're just one of those souls who can't wait for some quiet time alone for journaling, be sure to have a steamy mug of cocoa by your side. It'll keep you warm, happy and healthy (yes healthy, cocoa is good for you). Also, if you want to take my advice (I do a lot of experiments on edible entities), be sure to add a personal touch to it like Nutella, almonds, honey, cinnamon, marshmallows or if you're as awesome as me, a tiny bit of red chilli pepper. For ingredients you can always check out your nearest general store, otherwise, Agora, Dhaali, Shopno are good places to look in. Happy Chocolating!
Photo: Collected
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