Chaos Kitchen Creations: Bittersweet Hot Cocoa Recipe

Cool morning temperatures are paying us a visit in Houston. That means it's time for hot cocoa! All the Chaos Critters get in on the action in this week's picture heavy recipe episode!

On a cold wet day, what is better than hot cocoa? I have to say not much. But then much to Tod’s confusion, I pretty much have my version of Hot Cocoa every day. Yes. That is right. I mix myself a drink of the divine cocoa berry every morning, but the catch is… Well, I like it bitter and sometimes spicy.

(The real catch is, there is too much caffeine in coffee for Anna! -Tod)

So, today I am providing a treat that has become a dietary staple.

And remember, share cocoa with someone you care for! It makes the day better!

Bittersweet Protein Hot Cocoa Recipe

Single serving:

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup of almond, oat, or flaxseed milk (for those that cannot have milk). Otherwise I recommend whole milk… because it has so much body.

• 1 Tablespoon of collagen protein powder

• 1 Tablespoon of Dutch cocoa powder

• 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla powder (or other flavoring)

• 1 teaspoon of honey (1 tablespoon if you like it sweet).

Prepare on Stove

• Heat the milk slowly over the stove for about 5 minutes at medium low heat until it starts to simmer.

• Then slowly whisk in collagen protein powder, Dutch cocoa powder, and flavoring.

• Lastly add in the sweeter to your taste.

Prepare via microwave

1. Microwave the milk for ~2 minutes on high (for almond/oat milk). It can be done all at once for nut milks. But, I suggest 45 seconds, stir, 45 seconds stir and possibly 30 seconds more when using the real thing.

2. Once the milk is at the correct temperature, whisk in protein powder, Dutch cocoa powder, and flavoring.

For the most part I drink this as a protein shake each morning, but I don’t include the honey or flavoring - just cocoa powder - the rest is only for holidays and some weekends.

Note, if you work for Gordon Ramsay, you need to wipe the inside of the cup rim before serving!

Style it up

1. To impress people you can also make it a little spicy by simmering it with a cinnamon stick and leave it in for straw

2. Top it with fresh whipped cream. My default is 4 parts heavy cream for 1 part sugar. And then dust that with Dutch cocoa powder or cinnamon.

3. Tod even likes his with habanero syrup or the like.

Chaos Critters Review

(Cocoa is not good for pets and can poison them. No cocoa was used in the making of these pictures!)

Fluffy is molting, so she declined to participate. It throws her taste buds off.

Dante thought there wasn’t enough cocoa but was happy Beleth was willing to coach him through it.

Crokell, like Tod, would have preferred some habanero syrup and for his cocoa to be a bit cooler.

Beleth thought the cocoa was worth a full head dunk. Also, he demonstrates his advanced mastery with a "paws on" approach.

Aki refused to comment, other then to say "The cocoa is a lie."

Chaos Tip of the Week

Keep chocolate at your beck and call - otherwise, the monsters will prevail!

Critter’s Weekly Question

What (non-alcoholic) drink can you not live without?