Molly MacRae Monday: It's Spring but Hot Chocolate Still Sounds Good!

On the first Monday of every month, my friend the delightful mystery author Molly MacRae guest blogs. Enjoy!-AA

“Correct me if I am wrong,” he said, “but am I right in supposing that it is a very Blusterous day outside?” The House at Pooh Corner

It is a VERY Blusterous day outside here in central Illinois. If there’s one thing I appreciate about being back in the flatlands, after living for nearly twenty years in the beautiful foothills of upper east Tennessee, it’s the frequent opportunities we have for being blown away by tornadoes. And I mean that about as seriously as Amy means it when she gags over prune recipes. Hahahahha, Amy! We all know you love prunes.

Just in case she doesn’t like them, though, here’s a recipe without them from one of my favorite childhood cookbooks – The Pooh Cook Book by Virginia H. Ellison, published in 1969. The book is full of quotations from Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner and the classic Pooh illustrations by Ernest H. Shepard. The whole book is charming and only has a few recipes that might confuse or confound Amy.  This one is perfect for an April that seems to think it should be blowing in like March.

Honey Hot Chocolate for a Very Blusterous Day Outside

For 1 cup:

¼ cup water

Pinch salt

1 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa

Stir and simmer for 2 minutes until smooth.

Add:

            1 Tablespoon honey

            ¾ cup milk

Heat but do not boil.

For 4 cups:

            ⅓ cup water

            4 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

            2 pinches salt

Stir and simmer for 2 minutes until smooth.

Add:

            2 Tablespoons honey

            3 cups milk

When it is very hot and before it boils, remove from heat and serve.