Old Sweetwater

Old Sweetwater

Friday, January 29, 2010

Hot Chocolate - Thick and with Chili Pepper
















Chocolate with red Chili Peppers! A couple of days ago I posted about decorating with the color of chocolates.  Chocolate and red is a classic for decor, but today I'm going to just talk chocolate (as in the eating and drinking kind).
One of my favorite things is dark chocolate with red chili peppers incorporated in.  The Mayans and the Aztecs mixed their hot chocolate with chilies.  I first discovered the dark chocolate bars with chilis at an import store years ago. Now you can buy something similar (Lindt chocolate bars) at Walgreen's!
After seeing the movie "Chocolat" on TV I wanted to drink rich, pudding-thick hot chocolate from a bowl too.  Anyone ever do that?  What other flavors do you like?   Valor brand has chocolate bars with pear, orange, toffee and banana!  They even have wonderful sugar free products and hot, thick chocolate mixes! If you prefer to make your own, here's a simple recipe.

THICK HOT CHOCOLATE WITH CHILI PEPPER
4 ounces **Scharffen Berger 99% Unsweetened Chocolate, chopped
2 1/2 cups Half n Half (can substitute milk)
1/3-1/2 cup sugar (or to taste) **use semi-sweet chocolate and less sugar if you prefer.
1/8-1/4 teaspoon ground chili pepper

Directions:
1. Warm milk in a heavy saucepan until it is hot to the touch.
2. Add chopped chocolate and sugar, whisking until well blended.
3. Add chili powder, whisking thoroughly.
4. Heat thoroughly over low-medium heat without bringing to a boil and serve.
5. Can top with real whipping cream (but why?)

Makes about 5 servings. I believe you could substitute the chili pepper with candied lemon peel. Some of you gourmet cooks help me out!  **Scharffen is American owned company. :)  The bottom photo is lemon curd with strawberries and chocolate. Click on the photo to the link, Chocolate Fool!
 

27 comments:

Diana Ferguson said...

Oh my goodness! I'll take a cup of that chocolate right now. I've been under the weather for a few days, and I think that might just help!!!!

Enjoyed my first visit, too. I'm following.

Come back soon.

Anonymous said...

wow! This sorta reminds me of the movie Santa Claus 2 where the pretend santa drinks hot chocolate all at once and then screams..


"woooooooow.. I love cocoas.. gives one a buzz" "I like it.. I like it a lot"

heehee.. when I make cocoas here, I add a dash or cajun spice and a dash of smoked salt and a wee dollop of real cream. One doesn't have these babies everyday or ones hips wouldn't fit thru the front door. heehee.

with love and yet I hate you now cause I want one!!!!

Olivia

Lori R. said...

The hot chocolate looks devine! I never met a chocolate I didn't like, so I would probably like this too!!

Ginny Marie said...

I absolutely loved the movie Chocolat! I've always wanted to try chocolate with chili peppers, too, but have never had the chance.

A couple of years ago, Starbucks sold a melted chocolate drink that was heavenly! I don't think they sell it anymore. :(

Unknown said...

Great pictures, and I have tried the chocolate with chili peppers. My nephew gave me one, he loves it. But, here comes the big but, I am just a simple Hersheys with almonds kinda gal.

Marina Mott said...

Yammy!! Delicious!!!

kimsound studios said...

Expresso & a piece of chocolate ~ so German! ~ big smile ~

Pondside said...

Cruel,cruel to post such a decadent piece where some of us will read it first thing in the morning - I, for one, will most definitely be spending the day thinking about chocolate. In truth I'll probably only last until 10 before I'll be heading out of the office to find some!
This year a friend brought us some chocolate with chili peppers from Mexico - delicious!

Andrea said...

I am chicken little..afraid to try the chili peppers!
Blessings, andrea

Deborah Ann said...

I have heard of chilis with chocolate, but it sounds so scary! I'll have to give this hot chocolate recipe a whirl, and live a little more recklessly.

I LOVE chocolate with lemon, strawberry, raspberry or almost any filling.

alicia said...

Oh. my. word. I need to find me some chocolate RIGHT NOW!

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I love to 'meet' new friends!!
Have a blessed Friday!

Dawn said...

I've seen those but been too afraid to try it. I guess the most adventuresome I get with chocolate is a mixed box of See's Candy! That last photo is so cute!
Hugs,
Dawn

Anonymous said...

Oh goodness, I love chocolate & chili! I've made red pepper chocolate cookies many times! It's a great & underrated combination.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog!

Caitlin

Karen said...

Janean, thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I love yours! You had me at chocolate, much less giving a recipe. I must try that! Say, is that picture your house? It's really lovely. Great blog!

Technodoll said...

I buy this for yummies: http://www.cocoacamino.com/en/prod_hotchoc.php (the chili & spice hot choc) - soooo good! And good all year 'round too, not just cold blustery winter ;-)

koralee said...

Yum...chocolate and chilli peppers sound amazing! I will have to try that comb...anything would be great with chocolate!

I Purr-Furr to Craft said...

You always have the most amazing images on your blog. I wish they had that chocolate here, i will have to hunt for it it sounds just yummy.

Lynn said...

My chocolate is dark with peppermint, like a York mint. Simple pleasures for me. Chocolate and chili's, I cannot wrap my head around that combo, but reading the comments, I believe I will have to taste test that in the future (we have Walgreen's right around the corner) just so I can know what everyone is talking and enjoying.
Hugs,
Lynn

Debra@CommonGround said...

Janean, love that idea for chocolate with chili peppers, I've tried something like that and it really WAS good, with a little kick! I'm still a milk chocoate lover though, it all sounds good!
Debra

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Sounds very different and interesting. (I loved that movie)
I can't imagine the taste with the chili peppers. I will have to try it!

Sylvia said...

I never tried chocolate with chili pepper. I tried once with lavender, but that taste was not so delicious.
My favorite is with hazelnuts.
Nice weekend,
Sylvia

Donna M. Kohlstrom said...

After reading your post I have to stop writing and go buy some yummy dark chocolate! LOL! I like the blueberry and almond one, raspberry and anything with coconut!

Anonymous said...

O my -- O my goodness -- dark chocolate with red chili peppers -- I don't think I'd dare to eat it this is what I said to myself's voice inside my head -- and if dared would I? wink,,,:D Yummy photos

deb said...

janean,

my 9 yo saw your post and says, "did you know that montezuma used to drink 50 qts. of hot chocolate everyday?".....

apparently this is true and was also a line in the polar express movie. the things my 9 yo knows......:)

that tart and h.c look amazing.


dj

Anonymous said...

I have never tried the chili with chocolate..but I am up for anything once! I will have to give it a try!

Anonymous said...

I've never had chocolate with hot chili peppers. I do however remember it was the secret ingredient in the movie. I LOVE chocolate covered strawberries!

- Deborah

BonjourRomance said...

Dear Jenean,
Oh this hot chocolat looks divine, thanks for the recipe, I'm always ready to add to my expanding chocolate treat list, and of course wintertime is the perfect excuse to have another cup.
Thank you for stopping by and your lovely comments, I thought I added my name as a follower when I visited last but I see I did not, oops. I'll do that now and will be back soon.
Bon week-end!