She has to be back in Cambridge for an early morning class Monday, so we're going to make our own Sipping Chocolate this morning. Been wanting to try this ever since having it at Burdicks. A few years ago Starbucks briefly sold a version called Chantico, but it was shelved after only a year, probably because it was 6 ounces and about a thousand calories! (Actually I just looked it up and it was a very reasonable 391 calories).
The very earliest uses of chocolate were in liquid form. The Mayans and Aztecs made a rich 'health' drink from cocoa beans; chocolate in eating form is a much more modern development. We are slowly beginning to rediscover the very real health benefits of chocolate.
Drinking chocolate is different from hot chocolate. The one is made with shavings of real chocolate steeped in hot milk or cream, the other from cocoa powder and milk or water. Don't fall for any of the fancy mixes out there...nothing is as good or as easy as grating a little chocolate and whisking it into scalded milk. The better the chocolate, the happier you'll be. Look for chocolate that has a high % of cocoa solids, and don't use chocolate chips as they contain other ingredients; buy your chocolate in bar or chunk form.
Drinking chocolate is common in Europe where they drink it for breakfast. If you want to create the authentic aura of a Left Bank brasserie in your own kitchen get yourself some Trader Joes frozen (unbaked) croissants. Set them out on a baking sheet the night before and bake them while you make your chocolate the next morning.
But I digress. Here we go:
We poured 1 cup of whole milk and 1 cup of half & half in a heavy bottomed saucepan and heated until little bubbles formed around the edge. Remove from heat and whisk in the shaved chocolate. Stir until completely melted and thick.
Who needs men when you've got chocolate?
That looks really good! Though I hope I haven't become obsolete!
ReplyDeleteWhat's Grant's conference in NYC? Ingrid is on her way right this minute to a conference about children something something internet entertainment maybe.
ReplyDeleteI loved the Chantico! People at my high school used to walk over to the Starbucks across the street and split one because they were too rich and filling for a single person. I found a copycat recipe online and made it for Max once but he told me that it was too rich except for an occasional treat.
ReplyDeleteThe step-by-step pics are great! I also love your cocoa mug.
<3Darby
YUM! Miss you ladies!
ReplyDeleteIngrid is at the Engage Expo if that's where Grant is.
ReplyDeleteLooks heavenly! Hope you two had a wonderful time together. Sending lots of good thoughts for your thesis, Clare!!
ReplyDelete