Friday, May 1, 2009

Hot Chocolate




It has been pouring down in Illinois for the last couple of days and according to the forecast this would be no better for a couple more days too. Last weekend the temperature was at high 60s(def F) and we were glad thinking that spring has finally arrived! But the next moment it became cloudy and remained as such for a few days with temperatures barely above freezing after which it started pouring down! The gloomy weather confined us at home for most of the days. During such weather conditions how do you feel sipping a cup of steaming hot chocolate from Starbucks for free during the early mornings or late afternoons with the couple of dollars still in your wallet? This is exactly what this post is all about!

Chocolate cookbooks never fail to fascinate me and seeing one of those in the bookstore aisles draws me like a magnet. Walking aimlessly through the Barnes and Noble aisles, a magazine on chocolate recipes caught my attention. Flipping through the pages I came across this Hot Chocolate recipe which claimed that it was an exact clone of Starbucks Hot Chocolate! Doesn't it feel good to have one with the pennies still jingling in your pocket? The recipe being short and simple was easy to memorize and had me running towards my small notebook on reaching home to pen it down.

Hot chocolate and freshly baked muffins..Doesn't it sound great for breakfast? Go ahead, feel the experience and have a great weekend :)

Ingredients:
1.5 cups whole milk
2 tbsp cocoa powder
2 tbsp granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Whipped cream for garnish(optional)

Method:
  • Mix cocoa powder, sugar and water well.
  • Make a syrup out of it by microwaving for about 35 seconds.
  • Stir well after removing from microwave.
  • Add the syrup to milk and microwave again for about 2 minutes or until steaming hot.
  • Add vanilla extract and mix well.
  • You may serve with a dollop of whipped cream and chocolate drizzle to mimick the cafe experience!



Pooja.

Other Beverages:

Sambharam

53 comments:

FH said...

Great entry. Looks delicious! :)

Vikis Kitchen said...

Hot chocolate on rainy days seems like a poem:) Tempting snap.

Home Cooked Oriya Food said...

My favorite drink. Yes at starbucks too! This looks awesome and easy. I have to try it...

Pooja said...

Thanks Asha, Vicky, Oriya Food(sorry I dont know your name..would love to know) for your lovely words..That was really quick :)

saffronapron.blogspot.com said...

Poor you. Still waiting for spring. I live in Missouri and we have not worn sweaters from the beginning of April. The temps range between 60-85 from april right through mid June.Wonderful time here in spring.
Nice post Pooja and hope u have some great weather soon.

Pooja said...

Thanks Smitha :) Wow already Spring there?! I'm eagerly waiting..seems like winter never ends here! :)

VineelaSiva said...

Hai pooja wow easy and simple 2dy i have to buy cocoa powder and yeast for pita bread and brownies.My husband love hummus and pita bread.when i saw ur recipes he was really surprised that homemade pita bread.Once agn thanx for the recipes.

Pooja said...

Vineela,Wow so all set? Gr8..do let me know how it turns out. Would love to hear from you :)

sangeeta said...

the hot chocolate is really quick n gives starbucks n cadburys a run for their money.........thanks for dropping by n my photos are just functional taken by my cell phone cam............i love good food though n appreciation always feels good.please be around.

Pavithra Elangovan said...

Thats so comforting...Pict is good...

Pooja said...

Sangeeta, yes it indeed does! If you make at home you may add additional spices for extra flavour according to your taste like cinnamon etc. As you said it feels good to be appreciated and also to give appreciation to others too. Will see you around :)

Thanks Pavithra :)

Parita said...

Comfort drink....i can smell it from here..wish i could have it right now :)

Unknown said...

wow what a simple and yet tasty drink! thanks for ur entry. got ur email.

Pooja said...

Thanks Parita, Mahimaa :)

Nandinis food said...

Hot chocolate looks wonderful for rainy days! Tasty drink:)

Sweta (My Indian Dietitian) said...

It's so good to have a cup of hot chocolate on cold days!That cup looks so inviting-can I come over?

Pooja said...

Thanks Usha :)
Thanks Sweta. You are most welcome :)

Uma said...

We have the same weather here! Please pass me that delicious soothing cup! I'll finish in no time. :) Looks so refreshing and gorgeous Pooja!

Vrinda said...

Perfect for this type of weather,here also same dear,last week it was 92 degree,now in the 60's..Enjoy weekend with hot chocolate..

Pooja said...

Thanks a lot Uma. You are most welcome to have it :)

Pooja said...

Thanks Vrinda..Have a great weekend :)

Pooja said...

Looks Lovely pooja...Nice entry..

Pooja said...

Thanks Pooja :)

Kalyani said...

Great entry pooja ... i didnot try this .. will try this for my daughter ...

Pooja said...

Thanks Kalyani..and do let me know how it turned out :)

Unknown said...

Tempting hot chocolate,just love it!

Sujatha said...

Yummy Hot Chocolate Pooja! Fabulous treat for a rainy day!

Adding vanilla is a neat twist..

Pooja said...

Thanks Priya and Sujatha :)

Renus Kitchen said...

My favorite beverage !! very good picture....

Ramya Vijaykumar said...

This is a perfect drink for a non coffee or tea drinker like me!!! its all that I relish Love the addition of vanilla...

chef and her kitchen said...

Hot chocolate..my fav too gal...plz pass that cup to me now..:)

Pooja said...

Thanks Renu,Ramya,Prathibha :)
Prathibha, you may have it :)

ST said...

Looks very delicious...

Unknown said...

Looks so rich and delightful...cheers for the recipe...:)

Pooja said...

Thanks Sireesha and Supriya :)

Chitra said...

oooh, looks yummm:)

Pooja said...

Thanks Chitra :)

Vibaas said...

that looks sooo comforting! :)

Deepa Hari said...

Hot chocolate looks lovely Pooja...simple and easy to make...nice entry.

Pooja said...

Thanks Vibaas and Deepa :)

Jaya M said...

looks so delicious ,almost can smell the fresh aroma of chocolate and ready in just 10 mints or so wow great for this type of weather..
hugs and smiles

Pooja said...

Thanks Jaya :)

Unknown said...

You made me go craving for hot choclate now!!

prajusha said...

looks delicious

Vegetarian Zest said...

Pooja, I love chocolate drinks. I have few bricks of cooking chocolate. Wondering if I can use it instead of cocoa powder. Will that make any difference?

Seena said...

oh my kids didn't see this, otherwise I have to make it soon.. :)loved your pita bread too, Pooja!

Pooja said...

Thanks Divya,Prajusha,Vandya,Seena for your lovely words :)
Divya,go ahead n indulge in hot chocolate..hehe!! :)
Vandya,it would be great if you could use chocolate instead of cocoa. It would make the drink much more creamy and tasty too :)

Priyameena said...

I too love the hot chocolate from starbucks..No doubt your looks exactly the same..Wonderful entry..

Pooja said...

Thanks Priya :)

Dhanya Ganesh said...

My Favourite drink. Looks so yummy.

ARUNA said...

awesome entry Pooja!

Vysh said...

Hi Pooja,

It is the same with me too....(The magnet effect towards chocolate)!
Lovely entry!

Anonymous said...

wonderful entry pooja..

cheers,
ammu.