Eats: Royal Hot Chocolate

Hello! The weather around here has been a royal pain in the you-know-what: temps way below normal, bitterly cold windchills and plenty of snow to shovel! 

But speaking of royal, Royal Hot Chocolate fits the bill after yet another heavy-duty snow shoveling session. Did you know that chocolate milk is supposed to be a good post-workout beverage? That's what our daughter was told when she ran cross country in high school - and of course, hot chocolate is really just chocolate milk served hot. So what could be better after one's driveway and sidewalks are finally cleared?

Here's the recipe - I'll list the directions first, which call for stovetop cooking, then the microwave directions I added. 

Royal Hot Chocolate (adapted from Marcia Adams' Heirloom Recipes)

2 - 1 ounce squares unsweetened chocolate
14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
4 cups boiling water
1 teaspoon vanilla
speck of salt

In top of double boiler over hot, not boiling water, melt the chocolate. Whisk in the condensed milk. Gradually add the boiling water, stirring until well blended, then add vanilla and salt. Drink immediately. Makes 4-6 servings.

Microwave directions: melt chocolate (use bowl large enough to blend in condensed milk.) When melted, whisk in condensed milk, then add this mixture to the 4 cups boiling water, stirring well. Add vanilla and salt and stir. 

This recipe makes a rich, chocolate-y drink. Although the recipe says to drink it immediately, I stored the leftover amount in a jar in the refrigerator. I shook the jar well before reheating a serving in the microwave. Still tasted great a day or two later. 

Enjoy!