day four...

...of the 5 days of cocoa!

This recipe is one my son has wanted to try since seeing the Polar Express movie, remember...

"You know, Montezuma, the king of the Aztecs would drink 50 quarts of hot chocolate every day. It was thick as mud and red. He put chili pepper in instead of sugar. Get it? Hot chocolate?"

...and so it's our cocoa for today.  The kids are still snoozing, but when they're up, this is what I'll treat them to.  Who knows if it's accurate or not, but I do know we'll be leaving out the green chile pepper!

I can't say it's "tried & true" until we actually try it...so come share our adventure for the day!

Aztec cocoa...

4 squares baker's chocolate, broken, or 2/3 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 c. milk
1 t. chili powder
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. cardamom
1/2 t. ginger
1/4 t. ground cloves
1/4 t. nutmeg

Add chocolate or chips to a saucepan with milk over medium heat; do not boil. Whisk until chocolate is melted and well-blended. Divide between 2 mugs; set aside.  Whisk together remaining ingredients, add 1/2 teaspoon (or to taste) of spice mixture into each mug; stir to blend.

And Happy Christmas Eve! How do you spend your 24th...baking, wrapping, crafting?

Part of our day will be spent in the kitchen...time to mix up scratch for the chickens, molasses treats for the goats, and goodies for barn cats & our faithful guard-dog. Finishing touches need to be added to the gingerbread train and we'll decorate the last of the sugar cookies. The Christmas music is playing, the fire is crackling, and excitement is in the air!

Have a wonderful Christmas Eve...
may it be filled with the fun of surprises, and the spirit of the season.