Hot Chocolate, anyone?

It's hot out.  Really, really hot.  So hot that pole class last night was cancelled by unanimous vote because the studio was ridiculously hot.  The heat index has been over 100 degrees for the past week, I'm carrying on a love affair with each and every fan, and the puppies practically need a half-hour lie-down every time they go outside.

Oh, yes.  Puppies.  We are now foster parents to Madrid.  We picked her out on Tuesday from Stray Rescue so that they can continue to take in more stray dogs.  She's a complete sweetheart (though a little odd, just like Tolstoy).  We're working on finding a good home for her, so you should certainly consider adopting!  Or fostering.  They have so many dogs that need homes, both temporary and forever.

That would be Tolstoy, panting at her.

So sweet!

But, back to the fact that it is July in St. Louis.  So why, oh why, would I even think about making hot chocolate?

 Well, 1) because Alec specifically requested it.  And 2) because it's really, really delicious.  In fact, you should probably go make some.  And then lay in front of a fan.  It'll be worth it.

Hot Chocolate

from The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook

(claims to serve 4, but we happen to really like hot chocolate...)

"After Harry's been spirited away in Mr. Weasley's Ford Anglia to the Burrow, he enjoys the rest of summer vacation with Ron.  On the last night before the start of term, he digs into a fabulous dinner prepared by fabulous cook Mrs. Weasley, finishing off with dessert and hot chocolate (see Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 5)."

Ingredients

1/2 c. water

1/4 c. granulated sugar

2 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tsp instant coffee

2 oz. chopped bittersweet chocolate

2 c. whole milk

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Whipped cream, optional, for serving

Unsweetened cocoa powder, optional, for serving

Combine the water, sugar, cocoa powder, and coffee in a small saucepan and cook over medium-high, whisking continually, until hot and bubbling.  

Remove from heat and whisk in the chopped chocolate until the mixture is smooth.

Return to the heat and add milk, stirring until heated through.  Do not let boil.  You do not want to scald the milk, just to warm it.

Turn off the heat, stir in the vanilla.

Pour immediately into serving sizes of your choice (the bigger the better, in my opinion).  You can top with whipped cream and a sprinkling of cocoa powder, but I never get around to it...