Now is the perfect time for some hot chocolate! It has been cold and overcast around here lately and very little chance for the sun to come out until the middle of next week. A great cup of hot chocolate helps brighten up these dreary days.
This version gets its unique taste from some Thai spices. Star anise (an ingredient in Chinese 5-spice) adds a sweet-licorice-peppery flavor to the chocolate. This fruit is the seed pod from the fruit of an evergreen shrub in the magnolia family. It is native to Southwest China. The pod is shaped like a star and has from 6-10 points, each one containing a single seed. It is sold both whole and ground. The whole pods are added to the spice mixture for this hot chocolate at the heating stage then removed from the beverage. Even that brief amount of time is enough for the star anise to infuse its distinct warm, sweet, & spicy flavor to the hot chocolate.
Coconut milk replaces the dairy here, but don’t expect it to have much of a coconut flavor. It is rich and creamy and a delight to enjoy at this time of year!
Thai Spiced Hot Chocolate
Thai Spiced Hot Chocolate (adapted from saveur.com) Time Required: 10 minutes, Makes 2 10-ounce servings
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons milk chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 star anise pods
- 1 14-ounce can coconut milk
- 6 ounces water
The spices and chocolate are ready to go in!
Instructions:
In a small pot, add the coconut milk and water and heat it over medium heat.
Heat the coconut milk to steaming.
When the milk starts to steam, add the cocoa powder, chocolate, sugar, salt, cardamom, cloves, and star anise to the pot.
Add the spices to the steaming milk.
Whisk until everything is well combined and the chocolate has melted.
Whisk until the chocolate is melted and it is all well combined.
Remove the star anise and pour into 2 mugs. Serve with marshmallows or whipped cream, if desired.
Divide between 2 mugs and enjoy!
Eastern spices liven up this hot chocolate! ~Linda
Thai Spiced Hot Chocolate (adapted from saveur.com) Time Required: 10 minutes, Makes 2 10-ounce servings
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons milk chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 star anise pods
- 1 14-ounce can coconut milk
- 6 ounces water
Instructions:
In a small pot, add the coconut milk and water and heat it over medium heat. When the milk starts to steam, add the cocoa powder, chocolate, sugar, salt, cardamom, cloves, and star anise to the pot. Whisk until everything is well combined and the chocolate has melted.
Remove the star anise and pour into 2 mugs. Serve with marshmallows or whipped cream, if desired.