Après Ski Holiday Hot Chocolate With Brandy And Cream Recipes

HOLIDAY HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• In a saucepan on medium heat, heat the milk and half-and-half to just below the simmering point. Remove the pan from the heat and add the white chocolate. When the chocolate is melted, add the vanilla, vanilla bean seeds, and 1/4 to 1/3 cup orange liqueur, according to taste, and whisk vigorously. Reheat very gently and serve.

A SPIRITFUL HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Microwave milk in a microwave-safe cup until hot, about 1 1/2 minutes; stir in hot chocolate mix. Stir brandy into hot chocolate and top with marshmallow ghost.

BRANDIED HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Whisk together cornstarch and 2 tablespoons milk.
• Bring water to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan, then reduce heat to moderately low and add chopped chocolate and a pinch of salt, whisking until smooth.
• Add cream and remaining milk (1 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons) and increase heat to moderate, then cook, whisking occasionally, until mixture is smooth and heated through. Taste; for a deeper chocolate flavor, whisk in cocoa.
• Whisk cornstarch mixture, then add half to chocolate mixture and simmer, whisking, until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Add brandy (if using) and remaining cornstarch mixture to thicken if desired, then simmer, whisking, 1 minute.

APRèS-SKI HOLIDAY HOT CHOCOLATE WITH BRANDY AND CREAM

Steps:

• Gently boil the milk in a large heavy based saucepan, remove as boiling point is reached.
• Place chocolate in a small pan and add 2 tablespoons of the milk. Stir over a low heat until melted, then add the melted chocolate mixture into the remaining milk, stirring well.
• Add the sugar, cinnamon and brandy. Adjust to taste at this point.
• Serve the brandy hot chocolate in tall heatproof glasses or mugs, top with a dollop of whipped cream lightly dusted with cocoa powder or cinnamon.
• Serve with a cinnamon stick for a "stirrer"!
• Salut!

HOLIDAY HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Heat 3 cups milk, 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisking, until the milk is steaming and the sugar dissolves. Gradually add 4 ounces each chopped semisweet and bittersweet chocolate, whisking until melted. Cook, whisking occasionally, until smooth. (Note: This is an extra-thick European-style hot chocolate.) Serve with mini marshmallows, peppermint sticks, whipped cream, mini chocolate chips, toasted coconut or other toppings.

BRANDY ALEXANDER WHITE HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, combine the milk, the vanilla bean halves, and a pinch of salt and bring the mixture just to a boil over moderate heat. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture stand, covered, for 15 minutes. Scrape the seeds form the vanilla bean back into the mixture, discarding the pods, and reheat the mixture until it just comes to a boil. In a small heatproof bowl, combine the chopped chocolate with about 2/3 cup of the hot milk mixture and whisk the mixture until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Whisk the chocolate mixture into the remaining milk mixture and simmer the hot chocolate, whisking, for 2 minutes. Stir in the Cognac and the crème de cacao. (For a frothy result, in a blender blend the hot chocolate in batches.) Divide the hot chocolate among mugs and top it with the whipped cream and the shaved chocolate.