As a kid on a cold and wet day I used run all the way home from school hoping to see mum putting freshly laid picklets on the table, mugs of hot chocolate waiting for us. It was such a treat, reserved for those miserable days when she wanted to warm us up and wash away the day in a flurry of tiny little pancakes and a steaming mug of hot chocolate. A perfect hygge moment, creating such joy and comfort.
Now as an adult, I still associate hot chocolate with cold miserable days although for years I haven't indulged as the milk hurts my stomach and they are generally too sweet for me. Until now.
Keep the recipe to yourself, don't tell anyone what's in it and you will be upping your daily serve of vegetables in this delicious mug of goodness. How so?
Ah, well you see I have snuck some cauliflower into this recipe. But trust me, no one will know that it's there!
Steamed cauliflower is used by many to add a creaminess to their smoothies. If you have tried my Warm Apple Pie Smoothie you'll know the cauliflower remains a secret.
With cauliflower in season during winter, they are available everywhere and at such great prices. Even better, pick one up and your local farmers market. Cut the cauliflower up and steam before freezing so you have it on hand at a moment's notice. It's the winter version of frozen bananas! Seasonal eating at its best!
This recipe is, as always, so versatile and is fabulous in any number of flavour combinations. If you don't have or want to buy mesquite then leave it out. It's definitely worth trying though, I love the sweet caramel flavour it brings.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups milk of choice (I use coconut milk)
1 large floret of steamed cauliflower, chopped into small pieces
Cacao or your favourite chocolate cut into pieces to taste (I used 2 squares of Loving Earth 85%)
1/2 tsp mesquite powder
Splash of maple syrup
Generous pinch of Celtic salt
Method:
Add all ingredients to your saucepan and warm it up to desired temperature
Blitz with your stick blender - this creates a perfect amount of froth too!
Pour into your favourite mug and enjoy
Variations
Omit to mesquite and add:
Cinnamon
Beetroot - add a teaspoon of organic beetroot powder
Choc Mint - add some mint leaves just before blending (I like to dry my homegrown mint and blend into a powder)
Spicy - add a teaspoon of smoked paprika
Chai style - add cardamom, black pepper and ginger
What's your favourite flavour combination with chocolate?
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