Martha Stewart's Ultimate Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

Serves 4

* 4 cups milk
* 1 cinnamon stick, 6 sprigs fresh mint, or 2 split vanilla bean (optional)
* 10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate, cut into small pieces
* Whipped cream, for serving (optional)
* Chocolate shavings (optional)

Directions

1. Heat milk to scalding in a medium saucepan. Add cinnamon, mint, or vanilla, if desired. Let steep 10 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat; strain, and return to saucepan. Reheat milk; using a whisk, stir in chocolate until melted and milk is frothy. Serve immediately with a dollop of whipped cream garnished with chocolate shavings, if desired.

marthastewart.com

Read the full story

Chocolat Chaud

The Miami Herald is reporting that "chocolat chaud" is the crave in France.

It seems as if the French are into the rich, creamy blend of genuine dark chocolate and steamed milk. The French call it chocolat chaud.


The dark chocolate is imported from Africa or South America. It boasts a cacao content of at least 70%. When melted and mixed with steamed milk or cream it is quite the enjoyable drink. Parisians drink this with a glass of cold water on the side because it is so rich that you need an occasional palate-cleansing sip of water.

Read the full story

Sugarfree Chocolate Butter Cookies

INGREDIENTS

* 1/4 cup softened butter
* 3 tablespoons Splenda
* 1 egg
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 tablespoons skim milk
* 1 1/4 cups cake flour
* 1 (1 ounce) square unsweetened chocolate, melted




DIRECTIONS

1. In a mixer, cream the butter until smooth.
2. Add Splenda, egg, vanilla and milk and blend well.
3. Add half the flour, mix well and stir in chocolate
4. Add the rest of the flour.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes.

These cookies can be put through a press

Read the full story

Health News about Chocolate and Cocoa Powder

Effects on cholesterol: Consumption of cocoa powder and/or dark chocolate helped lower oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol and raised HDL (good cholesterol) according to severla studies.

Anti-clotting activity: British researchers found that cocoa powder inhibited the platelet activity that causes blood clumping.

Blood pressure: In one German study, participants with mild hypertension were given 3 oz. either of dark chocolate or white chocolate . After two weeks, blood pressure dropped in the dark-chocolate group and remained unchanged in the white chocolate group.

Help arterial stiffness: Greek researchers found that dark chocolate improved the flexibility of blood vessels in the hours immediately after consumption. This can mean that cocoa compounds could play a part in preventing the hardening of arteries that can lead to heart attacks.



Possibly the healthiest way to enjoy chocolate's delicious benefits according to one researcher, is to enjoy pure cocoa powder, consumed hot. Hot cocoa is said to release more antioxidants than when cold. A chocolate candy bar should contain a minimum 70% cocoa content for the best benefit.
< body>

Read the full story

Hot chocolate to knock your boots off

The AP is reporting a new Hot Chocolate Recipe to "knock your boots off".

Pastry chef Elizabeth Falkner developed this recipe for hot chocolate to be a cross between that favorite winter drink and chocolate sauce. She says it also has enough body to take on a shot of brandy or whiskey for an adult take on this drink.

STRONG HOT CHOCOLATE

1 1/2 cups whole milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 vanilla bean

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar

2 ounces bittersweet chocolate

(70 percent cacao), coarsely chopped (about 1/2 cup)

1 to 3 grains fleur de sel (French sea salt)

8 marshmallows (or whipped cream)

Off heat, in a 1-quart saucepan, combine milk and cream. Split vanilla bean lengthwise and use tip of knife to scrape seeds into saucepan, then add scraped pod. Whisk cocoa powder and brown sugar into milk, then place saucepan over medium heat and whisk 5 to 7 minutes, or until frothy and simmering.

Place chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Remove and discard vanilla pod from milk mixture, then pour mixture over chocolate. Add salt and whisk until chocolate is smooth. Divide hot chocolate among cups and top each with 2 marshmallows or dollop of whipped cream. Can be cooled, tightly covered and refrigerated up to 3 days. Serves 4.

Recipe from Elizabeth Falkner's "Demolition Desserts" (Ten Speed Press, 2007, $35)

No word on a calorie count as of yet.

Read the full story

Capresso Coffee Maker with Burr Grinder

Capresso CoffeeTEAM Luxe Coffee Maker with Burr Grinder, Black Capresso CoffeeTEAM Luxe Coffee Maker with Burr Grinder, Black Digital 10-Cup Coffee Maker/Burr Grinder Combination Illuminated LCD Display Automatic Filter Exchange Indicator 2-4 Brewing Cycle GoldTone Filter Capresso 454-01

Read the full story

The Pasta-Chocolate Diet?

In the spirit of New Year's resolutions and diets, we thought we would 'inform' you about a couple of diets which promote chocolate. The reality of eating chocolate and losing weight at the same time is yet to be investigated.

The Pasta-Popcorn-Chocolate Diet basically focuses on Pastas , Pasta sauces ,Salads , Vegetables, Fresh fruit, Popcorn ,Chocolate, and Water (2 quarts per day).

The following items are to be avoided while on the Pasta-Popcorn-Chocolate Diet: Alcoholic beverages, Salt, Sugars (artificial sweeteners are okay), Oils, Oily fruits (avocados, olives, coconuts), High sugar fruits (raisins, figs, dates), Fried foods, Dairy products, Red meats, Nuts and seeds, and unauthorized snacks (chips, junk food, candies, cakes, pies, etc).

Consult your physician prior to starting this or any other diet.

Read the full story

Happy Chocolate New Year!

We made it through another holiday season.
Now it is time to focus on the new year.

According to the Californian.com, there are 10 Commandments for chocolate.

1. Thou shalt have no other foods before chocolate. Chocolate and pure chocolate alone will be thy salvation, the darker, the better.

2. Thou shalt not make for thyself an idol. Leave no chocolate bar untouched.
Worship no chocolate bar, but instead eat completely, savoring every morsel.

3. Thou shalt not make wrongful use of the name of thy chocolate. Thou shalt not call it candy. Thou shalt not call it junk food. Thou shalt revere it as the supreme creation of cacao as intended.

4. Remember the holidays that celebrate with chocolate and keep them. Honor Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween and Christmas with heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, chocolate bunnies, chocolate bars and chocolate Santas and snowmen.

5. Honor thy father and mother. Especially thy mother. Give her chocolate for all occasions especially the holidays in commandment four.

6. Thou shalt not murder for chocolate, but thou mayest threaten others or take hostages especially during PMS.

7. Thou shalt not commit the sin of eating thy friend’s chocolate. The chocolate does not belong to thee, and thou must not destroy the sacred bond between chocolate owner and chocolate bar.

8. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt keep thy hands off chocolate that does not belong to thee.

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Thou shalt not accuse thy neighbor of stealing thy chocolate when thou hast stayed up all night gorging thyself and hast thus forgotten due to a morning chocolate hangover.

10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house filled with chocolate, and thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s wife’s chocolate. But thou may ask politely for a piece.

Read the full story

Chocolate Face Mask

Ingredients

* 1/3 cup cocoa
* 2 tbsp. heavy cream
* 1/4 cup honey
* 3 tbsp. oatmeal powder


Combine cocoa, heavy cream, honey and oatmeal powder in a small dish. Mix the ingredients together .

Clean your face thoroughly with cleanser of your choice.
Dry your skin.
Apply the homemade face mask and gently massage it on your face .
Keep it on your face for 15-20 minutes.
Rinse it off with lukewarm water.

Read the full story

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

1 tub (7 oz.)Dark Semi-Sweet Dipping Chocolate
28 pretzel rods
multi-colored sprinkles

Directions
MELT dipping chocolate as directed on package.

DIP pretzels halfway into melted chocolate. Place in single layer on waxed paper-covered tray.
Lightly with sprinkles for decorations.
Optional- sprinkle with chopped nuts

REFRIGERATE 15 min. or until chocolate is set. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator.

Read the full story

Dessert Ideas from Kraft

Read the full story