HOT CHOCOLATE

A cup of steaming Hot Chocolate can literally warm your insides on a cold winter's day.  Coming inside from the blowing wet snow to a warm fire and cup of creamy Hot Chocolate sounds romantic and can be easily achieved in less than five minutes (assuming you have a gas fireplace that turns on with a switch.)  I'm talking about real Hot Chocolate.  The kind that is made from real Chocolate with rich Half and Half and Cocoa to deepen the Chocolate flavor.  You can up the flavor by adding Peppermint Extract or serve Hot Chocolate over a scoop of cold Vanilla Ice Cream as a dessert.   When you are Cooking The Amazing Hot Chocolate is as Amazing as it can get.


Here is the recipe for 1 serving.


1 c  Half and Half
1 T  Dutch Processed Cocoa
3 T  Sugar
1 t   Vanilla Extract
1/4 t  Ground Cinnamon 
1/4 c  Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
Whipped Cream Or Marshmallows To Top


1.  This recipe is per serving.  So, double or triple it, etc. as needed.

2.  In a pot over medium heat bring Half and Half just to a simmer.  Stir in Cocoa, Sugar, Vanilla Extract and Cinnamon.  Allow to simmer for 1 minute constantly stirring.

3.  Pour 1/4 c of Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips into bottom of a large mug.  Use good Chocolate like Ghirardelli brand.  I use Ghirardelli 60% Cocao Bittersweet Chips found at most markets.

4.  Pour the hot Milk mixture over the Chocolate Chips and stir until the Chocolate Chips have melted and are well mixed into the hot Milk mixture.

5.  Top with Whipped Cream or Marshmallows and serve immediately.

TIP:  Add 1/2 t of Peppermint Extract for Hot Mint Chocolate.


COPYRIGHT (c) 2011

STRAWBERRY LEMONADE

STRAWBERRY  LEMONADE

It is Strawberry season here in the Midwest and summer has come early leaving you thirsting for a cold glass of Lemonade.  Lemonade is a versatile drink that can be made as sweet or lemony as you like it.  Adding fresh Strawberries or Raspberries can make that great glass of icy lemonade even tastier and more refreshing.  For an even more amazing treat try freezing the Strawberries then blending them into Lemonade to make a slushy Strawberry Lemon Ice that kids and adults can both enjoy.  The adults may also want to spike it up a bit with a splash of Rum or Vodka when no one is looking.  You can squeeze your own Lemons or save time and money and buy a high quality premade Lemonade.  Let the grass wait a couple of days.  Summer is here and this weekend you can sit outside in the shade and enjoy a frosty tall glass of Strawberry Lemonade while the neighbors are mowing their lawns and pulling weeds because you are Cooking The Amazing.

Here is the recipe.

2  Bottles (59 oz each) of Simply Lemonade

2 Lemons, sliced and seeded into rings

2 lbs  Fresh Strawberries or Raspberries

1 1/4 c  Sugar

1.  If you are a purist and want to squeeze your own lemons and make lemonade rather than buying it use this recipe:

                     12  Lemons, squeezed

                     2 1/2  c  Sugar

                     4 quarts Cold Water, filtered

                     2 lbs Fresh Strawberries

                     1 1/4  c  Sugar

                                      

                     Combine 1 quart of Water and Sugar over medium heat and make a simple syrup (melt sugar in water over heat.)  Cool down the Sugar water in the refrigerator then add the squeezed Lemon juice and mix well.  Add 2 quarts of Cold Water and mix well.  Add the remaining quart of Water in 1/4 amounts and stir then taste until you find it to your taste.  Adjust with more Sugar or Lemon or Water as you taste to make it perfect for you.  Proceed to the Strawberry steps below.

                    

2.  If you are using store bought Lemonade.  Pour 2 bottles of Simply Lemonade (or whatever brand you use but it should be not from concentrate for best taste.) into a large pitcher.  You may need 2 pitchers or large bowl if your pitcher is not large enough. Refrigerate until needed.

3.  Slice 2 Lemons and set aside.

4.  Hull and cut up 2 lbs of fresh Strawberries and stir in the sugar and allow to sit at room temperature for 2 hours.  Then place 1/2 in a blender and blend until liquid.  Repeat with the rest of the Strawberries.   Strain through a fine strainer to remove seeds.

TIP:  Use 5-7 cups of fresh Watermelon in place of the Strawberries and make a delicious Watermelon lemonade.

          WATERMELON  LEMONADE

5.  Pour the Strawberry puree into the Lemonade and stir well.

6.  Taste and adjust sweetness with more Sugar or if too sweet more Water or fresh Lemon juice if you like it more tart.  Add the sliced Lemons and refrigerate and then serve over ice.

7.  To make Strawberry Lemon Ice, freeze the Strawberry puree mixed in 3 cups of the Lemonade into cubes.

Add these cubes to the residual Lemonade and blend in the blender and serve.

                STRAWBERRY LEMON ICE

TIP:  Add a squeeze of fresh Lime juice to the top of your Strawberry Lemonade for an amazing flavor boost before serving without stirring it in.

COPYRIGHT (c) 2010