When I was a kid, we used to go apple picking every October. Usually it was just my immediate family but sometimes my cousins would join me too. Even in those days you were supposed to use the “picker” to get the higher apples. No climbing allowed. Although my dad would always let me climb the trees, usually giving me a boost. We would pick and eat, pick and eat. The weather was brisk. So after we picked our fill (and ate way too many apples), we would find a place to rest and my mom would break out a thermos of hot chocolate.

Now this was real, homemade hot chocolate. Made on a stove. None of that Swiss Miss stuff. At what point did instant hot chocolate become an acceptable replacement for the real thing? What’s sad is it starts to seem normal to us. We drink the watery stuff and think it’s okay, then come across some real hot chocolate and are blown away. Well it doesn’t need to be like that. You have the right to indulge, to enjoy the real stuff. Go ahead and treat yourself.

A quick disclaimer before I go into the recipe. This really is the real stuff, a rich hot chocolate not to sip lightly. The recipe makes two 8oz servings, and while I know you’re used to your grande coffee shop servings, this stuff does fill you up. Quality over quantity. It’s also something I would sip in place of a normal dessert, or maybe with some fruit or a cookie (or churro) or two to dip.

Brooklyn Locavore’s Hot Chocolate for Two

• 2 c low fat milk  (whole is a bit too rich and skim, well you might as well stick with Swiss Miss)
• 2-3 tbsp sugar, depending on taste
• 1/2 c cocoa powder (or 3/4 if you want the really thick dunk your churro in kind)

In a small saucepan, whisk milk, sugar and cocoa over medium heat. Continue to stir frequently until smooth. You want the chocolate to get pretty hot, but avoid boiling. Not only will boiling cause a gross milk skin on top but if left alone for even a few seconds, the pot will furiously boil over leaving a HUGE mess. Watch your hot chocolate carefully! Once hot, pour into two mugs and enjoy. If desired top with marshmallows, cinnamon or serve with a peppermint stick.

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