Hot Chocolate: Not Just for Kids Anymore
January 10, 2012
•Le Cordon Bleu
•Los Angeles
• 0 Comments
Hot Chocolate: Not Just for Kids Anymore
Winter is in full swing, and what better way to fight back a chill than with a cup of hot chocolate. Kids go crazy over a steaming cup with a delicate froth and a few well-placed marshmallows. But they’re not alone. Adults drink their fair share of hot chocolate too, especially in winter, where hot chocolate’s consumption rivals that of hot tea.
Because of the weather, hot chocolate may not be a California culinary tradition like it is in other parts of the country. But since most people aren’t actually from California, we’re betting that you have a childhood memory of Flexible Flyer sleds and hot chocolate. Now as an adult you may want to indulge that memory with a quality chocolate drink that is both nostalgic and geared toward your more discriminating adult palate. Thanks to some enterprising chefs, chocolatiers, and other food service industry professionals, hot chocolate has risen above its humble childhood to be a popular drink for adults too.
That Was Then, This Is Now
The Aztec king, Montezuma was rumored to drink more than 50 cups of a bitter drink called xocolatl. Today we know hot chocolate to be a creamy and sweet treat that can soothe even the crankiest toddler or over-worked mom. But it can be better. Most hot chocolate is consumed as a pre-made mix consisting of cocoa powder, sugar, and other additives. Many chocolate gourmands are beginning to ask more of their hot chocolate drinks.
Some fine restaurants and other members of the food service industry are satisfying those cravings with hot chocolate that is rich, smooth, and decadent enough for any adult to never have the powdered stuff again. If you’ve ever had one of these sinfully delicious cups of chocolate, then you, too, have become a convert. If not, don’t worry, we found a delicious recipe for one of the best cups of hot chocolate you’ll ever have.
Jacques Hot Hot Chocolate
One of the masters of modern hot chocolate that’s not just for kids is New York City chocolatier, Jacques Torres. His Jacques Torres Chocolate stores are popping up all over the city and serving his delicious chocolate, ice cream, and other confections. But you don’t have to go all the way to New York City to enjoy Jacques’ hot chocolate. He has created this recipe for his Hot Hot Chocolate that is very similar to the version served at his stores. It’s a large batch recipe that you can keep for yourself or give out as gifts.
Ingredients:
- 3 pounds bittersweet chocolate (preferably some of Jacques’ own chocolate)
- 1 pound 2 ounces whole dry milk powder
- Cayenne pepper
- 1 large stick cinnamon
Preparation:
Finely grate the bittersweet chocolate. Place the milk powder, grated chocolate, and cayenne pepper, to taste, in a large mixing bowl and combine thoroughly. Spoon the mixture into attractive tins or jars and tie the cinnamon stick to the jar.
Label the jar with the following instructions:
Use 1/2-cup of chocolate mixture with each cup of hot milk or water. When making the hot chocolate, be sure to boil the chocolate milk for at least 15 seconds. Use the cinnamon stick to stir. Serving with marshmallows is optional.
Recipe courtesy of Food Network and Jacques Torres.
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