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!
  

This goes to 15 Minute Cooking event hosted by Mahimaa of Indian Vegetarian Kitchen.

Pooja.

Other Beverages:

Sambharam-Spiced Buttermilk

'Sambharam' or Spiced Buttermilk is a favourite beverage of Keralites and even served to guests in the state. Though desserts mark the end of a Kerala sadya(feast) sambharam is served towards the end. Always served cold this aids in digestion too, especially after having a heavy sadya! Made of curd/yoghurt blended with water along with other spices, this serves as a thirst quencher especially during hot summers. It feels refreshing to have a cup of cold sambharam on returning after a long exposure to the scorching heat of the sun, after a long workout or after a long day at work.As for me I have this often be it summer or winter!

Ingredients:

1 cup curd/yoghurt

2-3 cups water

2 small onions(shallots) chopped

One small piece of ginger

2 split green chillies

Salt to taste

1 sprig curry leaves

Method:

• Add enough water, salt to curd and blend well.
• Peel ginger and chop into small pieces.
• Crush shallots, ginger and green chillies together.
• Add this to the blended curd and blend again once to mix well.
• Add torn curry leaves.
• Chill in the refrigerator before serving.

Pooja.

Other Sadya Recipes:

Other Beverages: