Make Mine Haut, Please

Vosges La Parisienne Couture Cocoa*

Tis the season for hot chocolate!

I have to confess that I've been drinking hot chocolate every morning since I had to give up coffee. It seems a little decadent for every day, doesn't it? After a little trial and error, I've come up with a method that works well, I think, for a quick cup. Normally I use regular Hershey's Cocoa (not the extra dark, it's way too dark!) If you use a better quality cocoa, like Mariebelle or Vosges,* you might want to adjust the ingredients to taste. The secrets to the success of this recipe: the whisk and the Half And Half (did I mention that this is not low-cal?)

• Fill a mug 3/4 full with milk (I use skim)
• Microwave for 2 minutes
• Remove from the micro
• Add 1 tablespoon of sugar (you can add more if desired) and
• 2 tablespoons of cocoa
• Mix well. I discovered that using a whisk (a narrow one that fits inside the mug) to mix up the cocoa dissolves the powder so much quicker and better, and creates a nice little froth.
• Fill mug with Half And Half, and whisk a bit more
• Microwave for another minute

Gently swirling the hot chocolate in the mug as you drink keeps the cocoa from settling. If you'd like, you can add a dash of vanilla flavoring or cinnamon when you add the cocoa. Of course, whipped cream topping would be great, too.

Cozy up to the fire, and have a cup for me!

* Vosges La Parisienne Couture Cocoa was voted by Rachel Ray as the #1 hot chocolate, out of 75 contenders.
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