Nothing can beat Chocolate in my house. And that’s what happened! When for the seventh day, I selected Ghana, because I came across the famous West African Hot Chocolate. I knew it would be a hit, and yes naturally my kids enjoyed it to the last bit!
Though I came across quite few other recipes, most were almost the same and I kept to the original one I read. This recipe is again from Celnet, which seem to have been the site I ended up checking for countries I had hard time figuring out. The recipe listed is retold by a Ghanaina friend of the author, though there are so many variations as expected. The traditional Ghanaian Recipe is made from a blend of milk, dark chocolate, honey, vanilla, cinnamon and rum. So recipes skip rum as well.
When I was making it, Konda was helping me click the pictures for step by step, on seeing the cinnamon, she didn't want me to add, saying it will spoil the taste. I said it will not and moreover the traditional recipe calls for it, so there is no way I can skip that and still call it Ghanaian Recipe.
I said I will be removing the cinnamon before serving. So I was eager to know how she liked it. On drinking it, she said we could know the cinnamon taste, and as you go on, it’s no longer there and you have a great chocolaty kick settling in.
Before I could even think of chopping the dark chocolates to drop in, my helper was busy popping in chunks into her mouth. I had to literally stop her further, else nothing would have gone into it.
Then the boys were impatient because they saw something dark chocolaty thing happening and they won't want dinner as well. You should witness how it is, when I get a chocolate dish in front of my kids. They simply refuse everything else for a taste of chocolate. So it's only naturally I opt for chocolate dishes.
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Recipe
West African Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 2 cups Milk
- 3/4 cup Dark Chocolate chopped (at least 80% cocoa solids)
- 1 tsp Honey
- 2 tsp Brown Sugar
- 1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/2" inch Cinnamon Stick
- 2 tbsp Dark Rum optional, and add to your own taste (I didn't use)
Instructions
How to make West African Hot Chocolate
- In a thick bottom pan, bring milk to boil, add the chopped dark chocolate and stir to melt.
- When the chocolate is completely melted, add the honey sugar and cinnamon stick.
- Heat gently, and keep stirring constantly. When the drink becomes little more thick, add the vanilla and rum if you are adding at this stage.
- You can switch off when little bubbles form all the way around the sides of the pan.
- Allow to cool a bit, remove the cinnamon stick, pour into serving mugs and serve.
Notes
- Cinnamon gives a different twist to this chocolate drink and honey with brown sugar makes it more thick. Adjust the sweetness to taste before serving.
- You could even top this drink with whipped cream before serving.
- When it becomes cold, it tends to become more dense, more like a thick sauce, warm it again if you want a hot drink.
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Usha says
I can image how excited the boys might have gotten. And I don't mind reading new chocolate recipes either. African hot chocolate is tempting. Love that thick chocolaty drink.
Sapana Behl says
I can do anything to taste this hot chocolate.
Varadas Kitchen says
Love your stories about chocolate and the kids. Cinnamon hot chocolate sounds perfect for a cold rainy day. A favorite in my house.
Harini-Jaya R says
Wow! this sounds very sinful!!
Suma Gandlur says
The cinnamon must have added a nice aroma to the drink. Looks thick and creamy.
vaishali sabnani says
Valli this drink is tempting me to the core. Like your kids my love for chocolate is also ultimate. Nothing like chocolate flavour. The idea of using melted chocolate is so sinful and I don't nlame Konda for popping in those chunks..I would do the same 🙂
Hamaree Rasoi says
Simply awesome and lovely looking hot chocolate. Must have tasted awesome.
Deepa
Razina Javed says
wow this luks so yummy!!!
Priya Srinivasan says
Oh that thick dripping chocolate off the mug, looking superb valli, i m simply drooling, i m definitely going to try this for my kiddo!!
Priya Suresh says
Watelse a chocoholic like me need for, this spiced hot chocolate is torturing me.
Padma Rekha says
wow that must be tasted wonderful Beautiful set Valli...
Pavani N says
What a thick and creamy chocolate drink. Love your presentation as well.
Manjula Bharath says
omg hot chocolate with honey and cinnamon stick sounds very interesting 🙂 and sure a yes for a chocoholic like me .. drooling here 🙂
Gayathri Kumar says
Wow! What a chocolatey drink. My daughter would love this for sure..
Padmajha PJ says
Srivalli, I am really speechless staring at the pic! It looks so chocolatey and I really need some now.Wow! That is surely yum! And I love your jug too 🙂
Archana Potdar says
Valli I am coming over now.... I am in such a state that I want some hot chocolate therapy !!!!! YUuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuum!
Chef Mireille says
this is so similar to the hot chocolate we make in the Caribbean as we also make it with cinnamon as well as star anise or clove though not rum...delicious for sure
Briju Parthasarathy says
Such an inviting cup of hot chocolate.
Kalyani says
so invitng ! chocolate always sells ....
Foodiliciousnan says
My God Valli! This is pure sin! This is like drinking hot chocolate sauce 🙂 And no, i wouldn't heat it if it becomes thick on cooling i'll lick it slowly as it is!!!