chilly weather!

Well, Colorado has done a fantastic job pushing the cool weather away. Today we had a record high of 80 degrees and sunny, it was beautiful! However, to my dismay, warm weather can only stay for so long. Tomorrow's forecast is borderline the complete opposite of today's record. The prediciton? A high of 55 and cloudy with a chance of snow flurries! I am so not ready for this! As much as I wish for the beautiful fall we have had to stay put, there is one thing that can make this cool and chilly weather tolerable. HOT CHOCOLATE!
Don't get me wrong, I love all the warm cappuccinos and mocha lattes available at Starbucks and Caribou. The downside to those little treasures...the price! Spending $5.00+ on a drink seems pretty unrealistic to this girl, especially when you can make a great cup of hot chocolate for a LOT less all by yourself! So, I did my research and found a very helpful article on yahoo.com about how to make the PERFECT cup of hot cocoa. If you follow these quick and easy little pointers, you will be well on your way to a delicious cup of hot chocolate that you can cozy up with next to the flickering fire place.

Rule One: Be sure to use quality chocolate. Don't settle for the packages of cocoa powder you buy in bulk at the grocery stores, they can often have a displeasing texture if not prepared properly. Instead, use really nice chocolate shavings. They melt effortlessly in the steaming liquid. If you can't find chocolate shavings, I happen to know that Ghirardelli makes a great quality chocolate powder!

Rule Two: I used the word liquid in rule one because some people like to use hot water while others prefer steamed milk. According to the article, the choice that creates the best cup of hot chocolate is MILK. By using milk, you create a more creamy and heavy consistancy of hot cocoa, rather than a watered down or watery consistancy.

Rule Three: If you are really into this whole process, you can go one step further. When combining these two indgredients, it has been suggested that you heat the milk, pour over the chocolate, and put the enitre mixture back into the pan on the stove and let heat until it boils. Once it starts boiling, pour back into your big ol' mug and enjoy! By doing this, you are letting the mixture infuse.

Last but not least, save the left overs! If you decided to make an entire pitchers worth of hot cocoa, save the extra in the fridge and reheat the following day. By allowing the mixture to sit together, the chocolate and milk can further infuse for a richer taste!

OH! And don't forget the mini marshmellows and whip cream to top it off! :)

Hope you guys try this out! I plan on making a big batch of hot chocolate that I can reheat and take to class in the mornings to keep me warm! Give it a try this winter!