Luscious Drinking Chocolate is growing in popularity!
Welcome to the luxurious world of drinking chocolates. Drinking or sipping chocolate is the Next Big Thing for coffee shops, elegant buffets and caterers. The reason? Drinking Chocolate is a cozy comfort food that makes us feel like we're floating on air. A true cup of thick drinking cocoa is an experience all its own.
If you're thinking about the hot cocoa mixes you're used to - think again. True drinking chocolates are very different. Cocoa mixes are made with cocoa powder, sugar and powdered milk. Even gourmet powdered cocoa mixes don't count as true drinking chocolate. True drinking chocolates are made with real dark chocolate with over 50% chocolate solids.
For a truly elegant party or family get together, you can add spices and flavorings to the setting and allow your guests to create their own individual blends. A chocolate fountain is another way to add a special treat to your gathering.
Recipe for Luscious Drinking Chocolate
Ingredients
2 1/4 cups whole milk
1/4 cup water
1/4 generous cup of superfine Baker's Sugar
1 3.5 ounce bar of bittersweet chocolate-at least 70% cacao, chop finely
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa loosely packed.
Directions
Combine milk, water and sugar In a medium saucepan. Heat mixture over medium until it reaches a rolling boil. Add the chopped chocolate and cocoa powder. Whisk these ingredients into milk mixture and return to rolling boil.
Mixture will thicken. Reduce heat to very low.
Blend for 5 minutes with an immersion blender or in a regular blender for 1/2 minute or until drinking chocolate is thick and foamy.
Hints for the best cup of Drinking Chocolate
Use premium quality dark chocolate that you also enjoy eating. The best drinking chocolate contains about 70 percent cocoa solids.
Types of chocolate:
Columbian is knows for its berry and spice notes
Ecuadorian for earth hint of licorice
Venezuelan is deep and fruity
Look for chocolate that is smooth, not gritty and has a very long aftertaste
Use a chef's knife or serrated bread knife to slice the chocolate bar into slivers.
Use whole milk as it softens the chocolate's earthy intensity. If your cup of chocolate is too bittersweet and strong, add more milk or stir in cream or half and half to soften the taste.
Whip drinking chocolate with a blender or immersion blender for a frothy cup of rich drinking chocolate.
Make drinking chocolate ahead and refrigerate if you would like the flavors to develop and blend. Gently reheat before serving and whisk it or use a blender to froth it up.
Add Flavorings to Drinking Chocolate for Variety
To add variety to your drinking chocolate, use the same syrups that coffee shops use to flavor coffee. These are readily available in flavors like hazelnut, cinnamon or amaretto. You need only about a tablespoon per cup of hot drinking chocolate. Chocolate absorbs flavors and aromas so only a small amount is needed.
Try seasonings such as cinnamon, cayenne or ancho chili pepper or a pinch of salt or drop of vanilla.
For variation, add a pinch of grated orange zest before serving
Serve in pretty demitasse cups for an elegant end to any meal.
Add Elegance with a Chocolate Fountain or Chocolate Shot Machine
For your next get-together serve drinking chocolate as a dessert or aperitif with a chocolate shot machine or a chocolate fountain. Provide flavored syrups so guests can choose their own. Even liquors such as amaretto can be added to these cups of drinking chocolate. Provide coffee as well so guests can make a steaming cup of Irish coffee with chocolate.
Want some recipes to add nutritious coffee to your diet? Go to http://www.Path2HealthyLiving.com/HealthBenefitsChocolate.html/
© Copyright 2006 by Joan Jones
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