Craving the perfect hot chocolate? Get inspired by the world's finest recipes. While café hot chocolate is enjoyable, nothing beats sipping a homemade cup wrapped in a cozy blanket with a book or music. From Mexico to France, explore these rich and delightful hot chocolate techniques for a heavenly treat.
Here are some traditional hot chocolate recipes from different regions:
1. Mexican Hot Chocolate
Mexican food is known for its spices, and so is its hot chocolate. Yes, this warm cup of sweet hot chocolate comes with a hint of chilli to warm you up from the inside out. It also contains other spices such as cinnamon, originally from Chocolate de Mesa, a bar of Mexican table chocolate made with true cinnamon.
In a saucepan, add milk, cocoa powder, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and a pinch of chilli powder. Mix with a whisk, add bittersweet chocolate and heat until the chocolate has completely melted. Serve and enjoy!
2. Spanish Hot Chocolate
Spanish hot chocolate is thick, rich, creamy and silky. The secret behind the thickness is the use of cornstarch. This dense hot chocolate pairs well with churros.
In a saucepan, add milk. Whisk in cornstarch to the warm milk until it has dissolved. Add chocolate and keep stirring till it completely melts. Add sugar and continue stirring for about 5 minutes until the hot chocolate is nicely thickened.
3. French Hot Chocolate
Drinking hot chocolate in France is a ritual. Chocolat chaud, or French hot chocolate, is rich and thick, made with butter, melted chocolate, and whole milk, with the finishing touch of fresh whipped cream as a topping. The flavour is both sweet and dark.
Heat whole milk in a saucepan. Once warm, turn the heat off and stir in chopped chocolate. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted. Turn the heat back on and bring the hot chocolate to a slow simmer. Stir occasionally until you reach your desired thickness. Turn the heat off and whisk in brown sugar. Your French hot chocolate is ready!
4. Dutch Hot Chocolate
Dutch hot chocolate (called warme chocolademelk) is a classic recipe from the Netherlands. This hot chocolate uses the finest dark chocolate chips and a teaspoon of Dutch process cocoa.
Pour milk into a saucepan until it just begins to boil. Mix cocoa, sugar, vanilla and a splash of the milk into a smooth paste in a bowl. Whisk the hot milk into the chocolate mixture. Spike it with brandy if desired. Serve the hot chocolate, top it with dollops of whipped cream and dust some cinnamon on top.
5. Argentinian Hot Chocolate
Argentinian Hot Chocolate is not just a drink, it's a fun activity! The chocolate is not added while making the beverage. Instead, a thick piece of dark chocolate is served alongside a warm cup of milk, sugar, and vanilla. Much enjoyed by kids, this yummy drink is called El Submarino, where the chocolate is the submarine, and you sink it into the hot milk. This chocolate melts into the milk and you can stir and enjoy your fun drink.
Pour the milk into a saucepan. Stir in the sugar and vanilla. Heat the milk until it is just about to boil. Pour it into mugs and serve with a nice piece of chocolate.
Source: NDTV
Bd-pratidin English/ Afia
