RECIPE: PEPPERMINT HOT CHOCOLATE

Brrr... there's a chill in the air and the holidays are right around the corner. No matter if you're just cuddled up in a blanket watching Christmas movies or coming in from holiday shopping, make up a mug of this fast and super rich hot chocolate! Check out the variation at the end... a shot of something extra to warm you up fast!

PEPPERMINT HOT CHOCOLATE

Makes 2 large mugs

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 cups milk (use whole or skim, whatever you like)

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

3 tablespoons sugar

6 squares (3 ounces) 60 % Cacao dark chocolate, chopped 

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

dash salt

4 soft peppermint candies or 2 soft peppermint sticks, crushed fine + 2 peppermint sticks for garnish

1/2 cup heavy cream or whipping cream

DIRECTIONS:

Put the candies in a plastic bag and crush them using a rolling pin or mallet. Set aside. Put the milk in a saucepan. Slowly bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat. Add the sugar and stir to dissolve. Put the cocoa in one of the mugs. Add a bit of the hot milk and stir until it becomes smooth, adding more milk to thin it out. Add it back to the saucepan. Next, add the chopped chocolate and stir until it is completely melted. Let the chocolate heat through, stirring constantly. Add the crushed candies and stir until they are melted. Pour into mugs and drizzle a little heavy cream on the top. Garnish with a peppermint stick, whipped cream, a dusting of cocoa, marshmallows, or even more crushed candies... whatever you like and your diet can afford!

Variation: Add a shot of brandy, vanilla vodka, chocolate or white chocolate liqueur, coffee liqueur, or peppermint schnapps to your mug for some extra warmth!

FOR A CROWD: I make the hot chocolate in a pot and then transfer to a slow cooker for serving. Makes temperature control and serving so easy!

RECIPE: SWEET AND SPICY MIXED NUTS

Perfect for any party; these nuts are addictive. Southerners always have nuts around for the holidays and some of them aren’t family… I always make a big batch and break them out for get-togethers or package them in pretty containers to give as gifts.

SWEET & SPICY MIXED NUTS

Skill Level: Easy

Time: 20 minutes

Yield: 4 cups

INGREDIENTS

4 cups mixed nuts; I like pecans halves, walnut halves and whole almonds but use any

2 teaspoons melted butter      

2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup

1 teaspoon dark brown sugar

1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt

½ teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary

Pinch black pepper

¼ t cayenne pepper

 DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400 F.

Spread the nuts out in one even layer on a sheet pan. Put them in the preheated oven for 3 minutes or until lightly toasted. Watch carefully because they burn easily. Put the butter and maple syrup in a large saucepan over low heat to melt the butter. Whisk in the remaining ingredients and add the toasted nuts. Toss to coat. Line the sheet pan with parchment paper. Turn the nuts out on the prepared pan and bake for 2-3 minutes. Remove from the oven. Toss the nuts around a bit with a spatula and allow to cool. They will keep for a few weeks in an airtight container.

HOLIDAY RECIPES: PEPPERMINT BARK MARTINI

For several years, this has been the most popular cocktail recipe on my blog and it is also one of my favorites to make during the holidays...  I think almost everyone has a peppermint bark addiction during the holidays. I cannot wait for it to come out in the stores each holiday season. This martini has the same smooth white chocolate flavor with a peppermint kick. Try these for your annual Christmas party or for sitting by the fire after a long day of holiday decorating or shopping. A rim of crushed candy canes or a candy cane stirrer is the perfect garnish. Uh-- p.s.... these are pretty strong.

PEPPERMINT BARK MARTINI

Makes one

INGREDIENTS

 1 ounce vanilla vodka ( I usually keep my in the freezer to keep it really cold before serving) 

1 ounce Godiva White Chocolate Liquor

½ ounce peppermint liqueur (peppermint schnapps or white crème de menthe will work)

Splash of heavy whipping cream

DIRECTIONS

Garnish the martini glass with mini candy canes or crush peppermint bark or candy canes to rim the glass. To rim, dip the edge of the rim into the liqueur and then dip into the crushed bark. Chill.

Fill your cocktail shaker with ice. Add all ingredients and shake until really cold. Pour into chilled glass.