on wicked hot chocolate...

Wicked Hot Chocolate. Say what? It's not for everyone but I thought it was killer. I've heard it called Aztec (or Mexican) Hot Chocolate. What's so special about it? Well, let's just say the secret ingredient is cayenne pepper!! I know. Crazy right? It almost tastes like a chocolate covered hot tamales. Have I intrigued you? Go ahead and make some and give it a try. It might be your new favorite hot chocolate recipe. 

Ingredients: 
makes 2- 8 oz servings
3 oz semisweet chocolate 
2 cups milk
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon 
2 drops almond extract
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 

Directions: 
Cut up the semisweet chocolate into smaller pieces. In a medium sauce pan combine the milk, chocolate, cocoa, sugar, cinnamon & almond extra. Simmer over medium heat for about five minutes or until everything seems like it's incorporated. Take it off the stove and add cayenne pepper. I think 1/8 teaspoon is the perfect amount for just the right bit of spice. But if you are nervous just do a simple pinch! Top it with some whipped cream and sprinkle some extra cinnamon on top :) 

Slurp slurp. Enjoy! 
xoxo.

on pumpkin white hot chocolate...

I've been meaning to make this for quite sometime now. I don't know what it is about white chocolate and pumpkin together but I seriously think this combination was meant to be! I was really surprised how delicious it was and even more surprised how Sebastian fell in love with it too! I made enough for two mugs and so Sebastian and I shared some on the couch after dinner watching Madagascar 3 last night. It's like a liquid dessert. Perfect treat to end our night.

Ingredients: 2 servings 
2 cups milk
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 0z white chocolate chips
4 teaspoons cocoa powder

Directions:
1// on low, heat milk and white chocolate chips in the saucepan while whisking it until the chocolate is completely melted 
2// whisk in pumpkin, spices, vanilla and cocoa. Mix until everything is combined. 
3// keeping stirring until it comes to a simmer. 
4// pour into mugs and top with whipped cream & cinnamon. 

You will love this velvety smooth sweet treat! I'm going to cook some up for everyone to enjoy on Halloween night after trick 'or' treating. Have a great Monday everyone!

xoxo.

on a hint of mint iced tea...

Boy oh boy. The first week of Summer here brought a huge heat wave! I am crazy about iced tea during these hot summer months and I am always constantly making fresh batches of iced tea to keep in our fridge every week. It goes fast in my house! Lately though, I have been putting a fresh new spin on my iced tea at home and not only am I loving it but the husband approves too! Mint Iced Tea is heavenly, with adding the mint I feel like it's even that more refreshing to drink! All you will need is 1 cup of fresh mint, 6 tea bags,  6 cups of water and lemon.  I hope you all enjoy it too...

1\\ Mint. It's the key ingredient in this and there is nothing better than going out to the garden and snipping off a few sprigs of mint!
2\\ boil 6 cups of water with 6 tea bags. Use whatever sort of tea that you fancy. We bought a huge bulk box of Lipton black tea at Samsclub a while back and I've been using that. Any sort of black tea will do. Sometimes I even mix black and green tea. Yumm! Once the water comes to a boil, let it boil with the tea bags for 5 minutes and then turn burner off.
3\\ next take 1 cup of chopped fresh mint and put it into the pot of tea and let it steep in there for about 10 minutes while it cools.
4\\ pour tea through a strainer to catch all the mint.

Fill a glass up with ice (or in my case a mason jar!) and pour the mint tea in, squeeze some lemon and garnish with mint! Now you can weather this heat and stay hydrated. Happy iced tea making!!

PS\\ Here's to my 400th post. Cheers :)