A cup of aromatic hot chocolate is the best antidepressant and the perfect drink in the cold or rainy season. It quickly satiates, warms up well and is able to get rid of moping or bad moods with the first sip. The calorie content of this treat is much lower than that of a cake or a slice of cake, and it’s easy to make hot chocolate at home.
History
As early as the Aztec Indians, hot chocolate was drunk by mixing ground cacao beans with water and spices. Whether it was used in rituals or to warm up on chilly evenings, the exact purpose of the drink is still unknown. After the conquest of the Americas, the story of the delicacy’s journey to the Old World began.
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Cocoa beans were worth their weight in gold, so chocolate was only available to the wealthy. Ordinary townspeople could only afford a dubious concoction made at home from waste products. The improvised chocolate drink looked more like diluted cocoa than a sugary sweet treat.
Europeans modified the classic recipe by removing spices and hot peppers from the list of ingredients. Chefs added honey and sugar for flavor, and a pinch of vanilla enhanced the flavor. The transformation did not end there, and the drink began to be heated – in the northern regions of Europe it was considered sensible and natural to boil hot chocolate. The preparation consisted of only two steps:
- the cocoa was heated in a special vessel;
- water and sugar were added and poured into cups.
Around the beginning of the 18th century, the British tried making the treat with milk. This only improved the flavor, with a mild, creamy flavor.
- Read also: How to make coffee with whipped cream
Original recipes
Nowadays, absolutely everyone can indulge themselves with this dessert, regardless of financial status and social status. It is served in cafes and restaurants, on the Web there are quite a few recipes for brewing the treat at home. Renowned chefs share extraordinary ways of making the dessert from available ingredients.
A classic recipe
To increase the thickness and fatness of hot chocolate at home, you can use cream, but traditionally it is cooked on the basis of milk:
- 120 g of dark chocolate (with a cocoa content of 70% or more);
- 500 ml of milk;
- 20 grams each of cocoa powder
- marshmallows for decoration.
, sugar and corn starch;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrG2NN_PMQ0
The recipe for making hot chocolate from cocoa powder at home requires two separate containers with thick bottoms. The process consists of several steps:
- In a steam bath, melt the chocolate with constant stirring so that it does not stick to the walls of the bowl and does not burn.
- Once the chocolate mixture is homogenous, remove the container from the heat and set aside.
- In another bowl, pour the milk, cocoa powder and starch, and stir with a whisk.
- Place the milk mixture on medium heat and with constant stirring bring it to a boil.
- Remove from the heat, add the sugar, stir thoroughly and return to the stove.
- Add the melted chocolate, combine into a single mass, bring to a boil.
The thickened mixture can be poured into cups. Decorate with small pieces of marshmallow before serving. The stated amount of ingredients gives 2 servings of a dessert drink. The energy value is 160 kcal per 100 g of product.
- More on this topic: Nutritional value of coffee and coffee-based drinks
Recipe by Gordon Ramsay
The famous chef assures that this is the recipe used by the Aztecs. If you make this hot chocolate at home, its rich flavor and incredible aroma will not leave anyone indifferent. Ingredients:
- ½ l of water;
- 100g of dark chocolate (70% cocoa);
- grated nutmeg by the tip of a knife;
- 1 tsp. vanilla;
- a couple of tablespoons of maple syrup;
- ½ tsp. hot chili (powdered);
- 2 whole cinnamon sticks (for decoration).
Maple syrup can be substituted for liquid honey. The original uses cayenne pepper, but it is so hot that not following the proportions will ruin the drink.
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Cooking Process:
- In a small container, bring water to a boil.
- Add the chopped chocolate, stirring constantly over medium heat until smooth.
- Stir in the chili, nutmeg and vanilla and add honey or syrup
- Warm over a very low heat for another 5-7 minutes with a whisk – the mixture should not boil.
to taste.
Pour into small glasses or classic espresso cups. Decorate with halves of cinnamon sticks – they are convenient for stirring the dessert. The recipe is for 2 servings – each contains 165 kcal.
“Snowdrop Snowdrop
For the holiday table, you can make white chocolate hot chocolate with milk at home. Product set:
- 4 cups of milk;
- 100g white chocolate;
- 4 grams of vanilla;
- whipped cream for decoration.
Do not forget that the sweet decoration will increase the caloric value of the dessert.
Preparation steps:
- In a thick-bottomed container, mix milk and vanilla.
- Add the chopped chocolate and heat over medium heat until it boils.
- Pour into bowls and garnish with whipped cream.
The above ingredients make two servings of dessert with 390 kcal each. The drink will keep its optimal temperature when served in a cup with thick walls. The treat should be eaten with a dessert spoon – because of the density, you can’t just drink it. At home, you can decorate the hot chocolate with pieces of airy marshmallow, cinnamon or whipped cream.
