Hot Chocolate from the Windy City

Consumer Reports Hot Cocoa Review

With a hint of French Vanilla

On a recent excursion to Hubble & Hudson, a local gourmet food retailer, cooking school and restaurant extraordinaire, I came across wonderful French simple syrup. For the past few months, I’ve been craving Vanilla Steamer beverages and my mission was to simplify the "make it from scratch" process.



I’ve been locally searching for vanilla bean simple syrup, so when I came across the Epicerie De Provence Vanille Sirop I was absolutely elated. Tonight, my husband and I enjoyed an aromatic cup of steamed milk enhanced with a vanilla bean infused vanilla simple syrup. Each drink was topped with whipped heavy cream with a dash of vanilla extract (This was left over from the blueberry crumbles I made last night.)


The recipe is quite simple:
1 cup of milk
1 tbls of Epicerie De Provence Vanille Sirop (or Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup)
Whipped Cream to garnish (optional)


Directions:
Pour milk in a microwave safe mug
Microwave milk for 45 seconds.  Remove from microwave
Add vanilla syrup and froth with a handheld frother
Return to microwave for another minute and frother one last time

With Whipped Cream

Upon frothing the heated beverage, you can see flecks of the vanilla bean. The best part of it all was no additional sweeter was required as the syrup was all encompassing. Although the price point of this delicacy can be a little steep at $12 to $16 per bottle, it is absolutely worth it!

Hidden Treasure

After returning from two weeks of business travel, I came home to a sparkling clean house compliments from my husband.  Inspired by his wonderful deed, I continued where he left off with dusting.  Upon dusting the tins in the kitchen, I came across a heavy tin.  Since these are traditionally decorative, I could not remember what would be in them.  Low and beyond, it was two types of  Moctuzuma Table Chocolates.  What a lovely find.
Made by Chocolatera Moctuzuma S.A. DE C.V., this company has been making tablet chocolates since 1940 in Uruapan, Michoacán.

Unfortunately, the other tin wasn't so pleasant.  It contained various types of gourmet marshmallows that looked exceptionally scary.  These were the goodies I was trying to hide from my husband last year and save for myself.  But I forgot my hiding place.  I guess this is what I get for not sharing :)  'Tis the season!

It's not always about the hot chocolate

  

Just wanted to share the 1-year adoption anniversary of our puppy Wally.  Although he is no longer a puppy since he is 2+ years old, he is our baby nonetheless. 

We celebrated with doggie cupcakes and treats! 

Treats from Barker Street Bakery in The Woodlands, Texas



Chip, our 92 lb 8-month old German Shepherd, participated in the festivities as well!



Chip and Wally playing outside



Wally tired out from the festivities



Milk Frothing Made Easy

Just added the Breville Electric Milk Frother to my birthday and holiday wish list.  This little stainless steel beauty stirs and froths milk while using induction heating. Dishwasher-safe and easy to clean, the Breville Frother eliminates the need to use a double-boiler or microwave to heat milk for hot chocolate creations or Vanilla Steamers.  Exclusive to Williams-Sonoma.com, the frother retails for $160.00.