Masala Hot Chocolate
While the northeast is snowed in, we’re enjoying 30°F weather here in Houston. And when I say enjoy, I mean it – woolen scarves and knee-high boots-wearing weather is a rare event. We don’t care that the day will be a sunny yet nippy almost-sixty degrees by noon. We are going to enjoy our woolens and keep the coming tropical summer temperatures out of our minds, darn it.
So. How about some hot chocolate? Yes, some yummy, desi hot chocolate. And by desi, you know I mean spiced. Here’s my impromptu morning chocolate – thanks to Archana L. for the inspiration.
1 packet hot chocolate mix
a pinch of ginger
a pinch of pepper cayenne or a peppercorn
a pinch of cumin, or a cumin pod
a pinch of cinnamon
1 cardamom pod
a couple of fennel seeds
a couple of cloves
Toss the spices above in with your hot chocolate mix, add hot water – and hey presto, masala hot chocolate!
No marshmallow garnish needed – the spices are quite enough.
The Completely-from-Scratch Version:
Grate your own chocolate (to taste) and fresh ginger (just a wee bit) in, adding cinnamon stick, cardamom, fennel and cloves – pulverized, to release their essence.
The Completely Lazy Version:
Add a pinch of your favorite pre-made chai masala spice powder to your the hot chocolate mix. Add water.
The Mulled Wine Masala Version:
HEB offers mulled wine spice packets in their bulk spice section – add a portion of one of these packets to your hot chocolate mix instead of the ingredients listed above. Pulverize before adding, to release their flavors.
The Healthy Version
Add skim milk rather than water to complete your chocolate.
Stay warm, and enjoy!
Top Image by Martin Cathrae
About the Author
Lynn Ghose Cabrera Has Written 30 Articles For Us!
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http://www.beingshadoan.wordpress.com/ Rachel Shadoan
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Lynn Ghose Cabrera
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