Green and Black Cocoa for Snowy Days

My Nelle. She's a sub-tropical girl ... growing up with leaves that don't fall off trees, and flowers blooming all year round, and a garden that produces the best lettuces in the winter (not the summer).

So here we are, in the Rockies, and there. is. snow.


Like magic. Nelle believes the snow will bring Santa back. And why can't we have Christmas again?She wants to have a snowball fight, and build a snowman, too ... that is, till she feels how cold the powder is on her bare fingers. She's fascinated with the way her boots smush into it, and how she leaves footprints behind.

I'd almost forgotten how beautiful snow can be.


And when we get a little too cold, and we come inside ... we'll have to make something warm to drink. What'll it be? Hot tea? Chai with honey? A steaming cup of cocoa?

Something warm and cozy and rich in antioxidants ... something to snuggle up with ...


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Green & Black Hot Cocoa
(Named after my all-time favourite chocolate)
serves 2

The time
5-10 min

The ingredients
1 1/2 c water
1 green tea bag (the 'green')
2 Tbs fair-trade cocoa powder (the 'black')
2 Tbs coconut sugar* (or use rapadura sugar, or brown sugar)
1 1/2 c whole milk
2 dashes of cinnamon

*I found this at the natural food store and thought I'd try it. I mean, coconut products are so good for us! (and yummy). But substitute any brown sugar if you need to.

**Try to use organic ingredients when you can - and, at the minimum, fair-trade cocoa.

The process
1. Heat the water in a small saucepan to just below boiling point. Remove from heat and add the green tea bag. Steep for 3-5 minutes.

2. Remove the tea bag and add the cocoa powder, sugar and 3/4 c milk. Heat again to just below boiling, stirring until the sugar and cocoa dissolve. Remove from heat, stir in the remaining milk.

NOTE: you can heat up all the milk at once ... I just split it because I like to drink my cocoa straight away, and if I don't add cold milk it's too hot!

3. Pour into two mugs and add a dash of cinnamon to each. Cuddle on the couch, get yourselves warm.


The cost
Well, I'm on holiday at the moment ... so it's tough to cost this one out. But it doesn't cost much per cup  (and lots less high fructose corn syrup than a hot choc at certain ubiquitous coffee chains) ...



And now we're warm, the two of us. And we look outside at the snow and wonder ... might those prints out there possibly ... just maybe ... belong to Santa?


I love magic.
Amanda xx

Comments

  1. Hi, I found your lovely blog on Foodgawker. Your Photo and recipe name intrigued me and I just had to stop by. I cannot wait to try your warming drink, chocolate and green tea are favorites. Your little girl brings such magic to something I've been used to for a long time, it's very sweet:)

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  2. @Spicie Foodie Thanks for the lovely comment, Nancy! I just checked out your site (www.spiciefoodie.blogspot.com) - and I can tell I'll be spending a *lot* of time checking out your beautiful food and pics!

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  3. Great pairing! This is a unqiue mixture, but surely it will warm you up! The photo's presented are wonderful, very nice!

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  4. Nelle is so cute
    This is a lovely drink. I love hot chocolate and tea. Putting them together seems like a miracle

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  5. @Kat @ Cupcake Kat Thanks Kat! Can't wait to see what vegan goodies you come up with this year :)

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  6. Amanda, I'll keep this recipe in mind .. Right now we are having beautifully hot sunny days as we are in summer time. But this will go to my "to-do list" for winter!
    Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Such lovely photos, as always. We moved out west from New England when my kids were about Nelle's age, and some of the pictures of them playing in the snow as toddlers are among my favorites.

    Stay warm~

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  8. @cheryl Thanks Cheryl! I meant to get more pics but the darned snow melted! :)

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  9. What an interesting combo of flavors. I love green tea. And I love anything chocolate. Must try what they taste like together. Yum!

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  10. This looks lovely! Never thought to combine tea and cocoa, but the combo sounds really yummy! :)

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  11. can you put the measurement of liquids in how many cups..please I do not understand 11/2 cup?
    But man i really want to try this

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  12. What a great idea. Green tea and cocoa! I must try this soon. I love making my own chai tea and yogi teas too. I have a cupboard full of spices and herbs. It's always nice trying something new.

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  13. I love reading what you and Nelle are up too, love your page and enjoy reading where and what you and the family are up to. I am going through chemo and find your story and frankness easy to digest you are a bright spot in my topsy turvy world at the moment,I love your recipes and yes organic is the way to go. I will keep reading. Sue

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Thanks for commenting! Amandaxx