Its that time of year where the winter just won’t quit! Take advantage of the cold and snowy weather, and warm up with one of these great recipes!
1. Thick & Creamy Hot Chocolate
If you’ve never been fortunate enough to try the authentic hot chocolate made around Europe, you will surely need to add this to your recipe book to try. Thickening a hot chocolate turns it into an almost custard like beverage. When done right, it almost becomes the only way you can enjoy a hot chocolate during the winter period.
Although corn flour would generally be used as a thickening agent, you can look to use arrowroot as a Paleo-friendly alternative. You could also consider adding maca powder to the hot chocolate as it works as a very mild thickening agent and can help lower the amount of arrowroot used. Maca powder also makes for an enjoyable twist on a plain hot chocolate, so see the Aphrodisiac Hot Chocolate recipe below!
Serves 2
Ingredients
1 cup coconut milk
1 cup coconut cream
3-4 tablespoons good quality cocoa powder
1 tablespoon stevia
3 tablespoons arrowroot powder
1/2 cup water
Instructions
In a small pot over low-medium heat, add the coconut milk and coconut cream and bring to a simmer.
Meanwhile, add the cocoa powder, stevia, arrowroot powder and water in a small bowl and combine well, removing all lumps.
Slowly pour the cocoa mixture into the simmering coconut milk and use a wooden spoon to stir constantly. Continue stirring the hot chocolate for 2-3 minutes or until the arrowroot has begun thickening the cocoa. Depending on your desired thickness of the hot chocolate you may wish to add more arrowroot, do so by combining with some water in a small bowl to remove lumps before adding to the pot.
Serve in a mug and enjoy.
2. Aphrodisiac Hot Chocolate
It’s been well known that cocoa holds aphrodisiac properties and as the western world becomes more interested in the foods categorized as “super foods,” the race towards the amazing maca root grows strong. One of the many benefits of maca is it’s ability to boost libido and considering maca and chocolate flavors work well together, why not make a delicious hot beverage to keep you warm!
Serves 2
Ingredients
1 cup coconut milk
1 cup coconut cream
3-4 tablespoons good quality cocoa powder
1 tablespoon maca powder
pinch of ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon stevia
3 tablespoons water
Instructions
In a small pot over low-medium heat, add the coconut milk and coconut cream and bring to a simmer.
Meanwhile, add the cocoa powder, maca powder, cinnamon, stevia and water in a small bowl and combine well, removing all lumps.
Slowly pour the cocoa mixture into the simmering coconut milk and use a wooden spoon to stir constantly for 1-2 minutes.
Serve in a mug and enjoy.
3. Chili Hot Chocolate
My first experience of chilli chocolate was as a teenager in a Caribbean restaurant tasting chili chocolate cake…it absolutely blew my mind! I seem to find myself adding a pinch of chili to many chocolate recipes that I make these days. Just as a pinch of salt brings out the flavors of many dessert recipes (except raspberry, never go there), chili and chocolate are a match made in heaven.
For this chili hot chocolate recipe, try using cayenne pepper. It’s very easy to find in powdered form and you need so little of it to really get a chili hit. The health benefits of cayenne pepper for your blood and circulatory system make it a perfect ingredient for any Paleo recipe.
Serves 2
Ingredients
1 cup coconut milk
1 cup coconut cream
3-4 tablespoons good quality cocoa powder
pinch (or two) of ground cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon stevia
3 tablespoons water
Instructions
In a small pot over low-medium heat, add the coconut milk and coconut cream and bring to a simmer.
Meanwhile add the cocoa powder, cayenne pepper, stevia and water in a small bowl and combine well.
Slowly pour the cocoa mixture into the simmering coconut milk and use a wooden spoon to stir constantly for 1-2 minutes. Test the flavor of the hot chocolate and add more cayenne pepper if desired.
Serve in a mug and enjoy.
4. Spiced Hot Chocolate
Spices and chocolate work well together for a number of recipes and a hot chocolate is no exception. Adding a blend of spices makes for a wonderful warm beverage over Christmas and the festive season and of course any other time of year! Don’t hold back on adding more of any one spice to this recipe to get the flavor balance you enjoy most.
Serves 2
Ingredients
1 cup coconut milk
1 cup coconut cream
3-4 tablespoons good quality cocoa powder
pinch of ground nutmeg
pinch of ground cinnamon
pinch of all spice
pinch of groundginger
1 tablespoon stevia
3 tablespoons water
Instructions
In a small pot over low-medium heat, add the coconut milk and coconut cream and bring to a simmer.
Meanwhile add the cocoa powder, spices, stevia and water in a small bowl and combine well.
Slowly pour the cocoa mixture into the simmering coconut milk and use a wooden spoon to stir constantly for 1-2 minutes. Test the flavor of the hot chocolate and add more spices if desired.
Serve in a mug and enjoy.
Stay warm out there!
-The Pure N Well Team
(See more at: http://blog.paleohacks.com/4-paleo-hot-chocolate-recipes/#sthash.laoU5kcb.dpuf)
