Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Forget green beer! Give me an Irish hot chocolate
After heating up the milk and adding the hot chocolate packet, I stirred the mixture. A nice creme layer appeared. Yum. I proceed to the backyard to sit out and savor my cup of heaven.
The first sip was very fulfilling and the creme layer added lift to the beverage. I must say, I will keep a few packets of this one in my cupboards.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Penguins need cocoa too
Checkout this iPhone and iPod Touch App called Rocket Downhill Penguin. Help a penguin navigate obstacles on a ski slope by filling him up with cocoa. Can you say cute! A game that requires cocoa as fuel.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Ended up with tea
As usual, I just wasn't in the mood for an off the shelf hot chocolate. So, I opted to try and create a delish hot chocolate made with passion and care by me. My first attempted involved using 1/2 cup of orange juice and 1/2 cup of milk. Unfortunately, the hint of OJ became overwhelming and I couldn't balance it out with Vanilla, Sugar or anything else.
STRIKE 1
My second attempt involved my last cup of heavy cream. I accidentally burnt the chocolate shavings in the double boiler. Immediately, I strained out the burnt chunks to preserve the heavy cream for another try.
STRIKE 2
With the heavy cream from the second attempt to make hot chocolate from scratch, I decided to add a pre-made mixture to the cream. Next, I tried to add a little pizazz with ancho chili. Blah!!!!! It was a hot mess.
STRIKE 3
After cleaning up the messy kitchen, I resigned myself to breaking out the tea kettle for a cup of hot tea.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Recipe: Apple Cranberry Crumble with Hot Chocolate Shavings
Recipe - 4 servings:
1/3 cup Apple Crisp Mix (from Concord Foods)
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled
1/4 cup Dried cranberries
1 bag Plain regular instant oatmeal
3 tbls Sweet butter/butter
Heavy cream
Sugar
Step 1: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Blend the Apple Crisp Mix, hot chocolate shavings and oatmeal in a bowl.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNDoW6hgQpKzcrPw8nt9WgJCpcOmdQ4cNxCmZsUeRufglobyGHEtdy9VY2X3Z9GwfuE-SqA4dIuOf2S6N9HDpiHSJNXMrsZC3FibhuUl6RHK56bkK0BR07qmwQ5Ufa0oMc19rZNkelOA/s200/Big+Dog+Gear+013.jpg)
Step 2: Peel and dice apples and add cranberries to a bowl. Add apple crisp mixture and blend.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Sk4jrqLNombw2KGPa_VH1cLsdCmMQHmX_kaBLEHYaXHa21I4EUFu74wnCKq23NDAYZ_d09HwfQckJaGYApKKpTU2S62wYQsdrKOxrqH76-gZ60-1atkU9Yj5E8o4mgDHi9IXSooiFXA/s200/Big+Dog+Gear+009.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEk_e_O3eac4rnaKmiJ-wvCEApx7mOvMSL2f2zSYXrs_v6g9jwqM-LoLPhH6Pjr8m09_4tXBAYygnMfjD1dvArk1_Xx_QtgqblB44HvSY9EuU8T5W6K1JB1Pgm0ewdL5UORxrddmUP_A/s200/Big+Dog+Gear+019.jpg)
Step 3: Pour apple mixture in a greased baking dish.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4nBXcLanmlJ4rg-1mAZb9trAPfp87zjCtGiZH0QXyzodb9s1wysuRE7nTshN2FTMyLAbRDj2P6jG1aen4e5b3cHDjzxPEbJQ_YU9mt0jwZY4IFWWM6PnIlKNUT8eRUpFP9_Rl_BBk-E/s200/Big+Dog+Gear+018.jpg)
Step 4: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVkNZuPy53oskGbxP4AXN2XZjEke9o7CEd5Guv-FirR4GX5B_F4M3i3-MYBfwkne5ANynMXbeaWsMYy4_ALrLt8DdX6Fr2oYgdIW3hklPGLmp9BL_iCViyQo958NDP8DpXyydMfmJNQA/s200/Big+Dog+Gear+020.jpg)
Step 5: Serve in decorative dishes.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOh5iIe4VpjCKdWlBX5mKk1CJbMOAC5FPLjjAnRINX90BWQyB8nVv1hOLqY6i6ZIbTDXzB_8XNBWFd1ra9W6BMz_wwF2dE3O3IjDMKGMIoQ_9Ha5-3bWl5TctcbqqIQX0ZdEYxNGG4rfE/s200/Big+Dog+Gear+017.jpg)
Step 6: Whip 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Add sugar to taste.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RWbX_1ozMxiNA9XSkFLmfVrOZMEy6h8VCI-FhOzDgKoHFsWR7otTmQ8AfYWUzF1N17NYMhsHRAubFMXnd33biPaLXn9IeTxYJHNd6ZBHd0tkxQSIW9zdXWgOIMV6-HIqiL6PGud_X7k/s200/Big+Dog+Gear+022.jpg)
Step 7: Garnish with whipped cream.