During these times of intense winter storm activity, we all know what it's like to look out the window and see the bleak, relentless wall of ice closing in.
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But don't despair! Since it's bitterly cold outside and you're not going anywhere anyway, now's the time to settle in, pop on a good movie, and make yourself a steaming cup of hot chocolate.
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Um, no. I'm not talking about that thin, watery, powdery stuff you get from the crinkly packet. Forget about that. A much, much better world of cocoa awaits you, and with minimal effort. Here's the recipe for you:
- In a saucepan, combine two tablespoons of cocoa powder, two tablespoons white sugar, and five tablespoons milk. Whisk them together until mostly smooth; it's okay if there are some lumps of cocoa left in there.
- Heat on medium heat until thickened and bubbly. This is your hot chocolate base. You've homogenized the cocoa and the sugar into a smooth, rich syrup, and by cooking it you've also greatly deepened the flavor.
- Add milk to taste. This is up to you. If you like a much richer cocoa, add not too much milk. If you want a thinner, more mellow cocoa, add more milk. In general, two cups is a pleasant balance. (Note: Some chefs will insist on using canned condensed milk; this is a nice touch but not necessary.)
And that's it! Make this for your friends and family and watch as they guzzle in delight!
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