 5@5 is a daily, food-related list from chefs, writers, political pundits, musicians, actors, and all manner of opinionated people from around the globe. When temperatures dip, Noah Dan, founder of Pitango Gelato, starts warming up guests with hot Italian sipping chocolate. “It’s not like anything that comes from a powdered mix,” says Dan, who took inspiration for Pitango’s hot chocolate from the classic cafés of Turin, Italy. “True sipping chocolate must be dark, thick, intense, complex and, like all good things in life, bittersweet.” The prep is simple, as the recipe contains only three basic ingredients: High-quality cocoa, milk and sugar. The real trick is finding the right cocoa powder because at this level of concentration any negative characteristics in the cocoa will be amplified, making the result less than stellar. Pitango uses organic cocoa from Costa Rica, which has a pure, intense chocolate flavor. To make the cocoa, combine 2/3 cup cocoa and 1/3 cup sugar in a medium saucepan. Gradually add three cups of milk to the cocoa and sugar over low heat, mixing to avoid lumps. Be sure that the milk is heated but never reaches a boil. Continue mixing the chocolate on low heat until it is fully blended and thickens to a rich consistency. Thick and potent, hot sipping chocolate is the equivalent of a coffee purist’s ultimate espresso. As such, this “adult” version of hot chocolate is meant to be savored slowly, in small portions (5 ounces or less). If the pure version doesn't cure what ails you, here are a few classic variations that use this hot chocolate as a base. Five Hot Chocolate Variations: Noah Dan
1. With whipped cream 2. Marocchino 3. Bicerin 4. Hot gianduja For homemade hazelnut butter, I recommend going the regular nut butter recipe route: Toast hazelnuts until lightly golden. Remove the skins and grind in a food processor until it becomes a smooth paste. You might need to add a little oil (use a neutral oil like canola) to achieve a smooth consistency." 5. Spicy hot chocolate What's your favorite variation of hot chocolate? Spill your warming recipes in the comments below. Is there someone you'd like to see in the hot seat? Let us know in the comments below and if we agree, we'll do our best to chase 'em down. |
  Recent Posts
Visit Eatocracy’s new home Recent comments
Pinterest  |
 |
|
Best hot chocolate I ever had was in Paris.... little bistro. Thick, semi sweet...RICH. Heaven in a cup. Nothing like our our North American stuff. No more instant mixes for me, has to be the real stuff now. GOOD cocoa or a bar of premium chocolate, whole milk or even half and half, some sugar. Sigh....
Drop a shot of your favorite liquor in... I favor Tuaca (a brandy based orange/vanilla liquor).
A friend of mind turned me on to this ambrosia (sans cream). With a little cinnamon mixed in, it is heaven in a cup.
I'd love to try that Spicy hot chocolate. Nice read, thanks.
Dark, intense, bittersweet? Sounds exactly like traditional Mexican chocolate, probably because that is where chocolate originated.
hot chocolate gives me superior semen strength, color, durability and elasticity.
Swiss Miss! :-)
Use almond joy flavored creamer or a tsp of nutella. Super yummy!
Too bad he doesn't use the best chocolate in the world; from Colombia. You've never had "real" hot chocolate unless you've had a cup made from Colombian–yes, it's at least as good as their coffee.
Yummy! Oh and the hot chocolate looks good too. ;)
I really do need to try a #5, I love spycy foods so this should work for me.
My specialty is called Cat Scat Fever. I use a loose leaf tea brewing capsule and lower Mittens' latest creation within it into my favorite Nestle Quik concoction. I hear they charge quite a bit for that kind of stuff in some overseas countries. You can make yours at home for less than $1 so long as you have a cat and a scoop.
thats quite disgusting
That has got to be the dumbest thing I have ever heard since Obama became president.
got that right lol
Obama is a liberal stooge. But let's not politicize a food blog.
And next to Palin, Romney is the biggest political stooge.
STOP BEING A HATER YOU SOUND VERY IGNORANT! LET GO ALREADY HES PRESIDENT & HES HERE TO CLEAN UP GEORGE BUSHS MESS!!
I should not be laughing at this.
My mind is easily amused sometimes.