Jeanette - Off The Cuff

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Blogger at: http://offthecuffhome.blogspot.com and http://offthecuffcooking.blogspot.com -- My name is Jeanette, and I was born in Sweden, but unlike the famous Muppet, I am not a professional Swedish Chef. I actually studied design and photography. I also was a freelance indie-rock critic for several magazines from 1998-2005, and had an in-house PR company for a while. Cooking is in my DNA--my dad's brother was a chef and their father was a pastry chef, my mom's mother was a caterer, who published a cookbook of traditional Finnish breads and pastries when she was 92. Everyone else in my family loves to cook, and we're not afraid to experiment. I have a yen for interior design and remodeling.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Excellent Hot Cocoa

Merry Christmas readers!

Once upon a time, Christ the Savior was born, and even though the Christmas season is a fabricated time to commemorate his birth, it sure doesn't hurt to have cozy times with our loved ones.  I look forward to this every year.

About the shortage of recipes... since our rotisserie chicken give away, I have been insanely swamped with a variety of things, and it's been dark, rainy and not particularly inspirational for me to cook or take good photos (even on a sunny day I have a kitchen on the darker side of the house which makes it hard to get nice exposures w/o a little Photoshopping.)

But since it's Christmas now, I will just tell you I made some really yummy hot cocoa tonight, off-the-cuff style.

Take a small pot and pour in 1 1/2 cups milk (preferably whole, but you could probably also do rice milk, almond milk, or soy milk if you have a dairy issue.)

Scald the milk until hot, but not boiling.  Vigorously whisk in 3 teaspoons cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons granulated sugar (or other sweetener to taste) and a pinch of sea salt. 

For a little extra grown-up flair, add a splash of Kahlua, Frangelico, Peppermint Schnapps, or Baileys.

I don't have any photos, because I left my camera at my parents while we were decorating their Christmas tree.