I am always hesitant to post a blog at the first of a new year. It seems that one should say something profound or wise about the past year or the one upon us. I do not make resolutions to break, nor promises to myself that I have no intentions of keeping. Although it can be a time for reflection I approach it as a time to regenerate and pretty much do “nothing”.
How does one do “nothing”? The answer for me is very intentionally and purposefully. In fact I have been doing “nothing” with gusto! I have playing in my kitchen trying out recipes from my ever-growing list, watching BBC shows on cable on rainy days, reading, taking long walks, having lunch with friends, reading, having coffee in bed while reading, eating at new restaurants we have been intending to try all year, spending fun time with the family, seeing a movie or two! That is how I have spent a lot of the Holiday week…”doing nothing”…..really!
One chilly morning this week, while again attending to my art of “doing nothing”, I made myself a hot cup of “Le Chocolat Chaud”. This very Parisian hot chocolate has been on my list of things to try for a long time. I had it in Paris many, many years ago and have never forgotten it. My version is based on a recipe by David Lebovitz with my addition of a splash of vanilla and I used turbinado sugar instead of classic brown baking sugar.
Very good bittersweet chocolate is the starting place. I used Callebaut from Belgium.
A large cup or mug, steaming hot milk, turbinado sugar and a splash of vanilla extract along with the chocolate is all you need to make the most heavenly flavored cup of hot chocolate you will ever drink.
May your days be bright, your nights be cozy, and your 2016 the best year you can possibly have. Stay well.
Drinking Le Chocolat Chaud While Doing Nothing on New Years
Ingredients:
- 2 cups hot milk (I use whole, but any including Almond milk will work)
- 6 ounces of good quality bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- turbinado/raw sugar
- options: vanilla extract; a pinch of cayenne pepper; a pinch of cardamom
Directions:
- Into two cups or mugs place 3 ounces chopped bittersweet chocolate.
- Add turbinado sugar to each cup to taste.
- Pour steaming hot milk into each cup and let sit for 1 minute.
- Stir until the chocolate has melted and the sugar dissolved. Add a splash of vanilla if desired. Sip!
Note: You can also make this recipe by putting the ingredients (or doubling for 4 or more people)into a saucepan and heating over medium heat while whisking.
Teresa Blackburn http://www.teresablackburnfoodstyling.com
Adapted from a recipe by David Lebovitz, living the sweet life in Paris his really fabulous blog.
Reblogged this on Theo Herbots Gezonde Recepten and commented:
Dit is nog maar eens een prachtig Blog dat zeker de moeite waard is om te volgen. Log in en schrijf U in op de nieuwsbrief
Thank you very much Theo! Happy New Year.
Happy New Year also for You
I love this Teresa Blackburn. You nailed it 🙂 We all should aspire to “doing nothing”. It’s good for the soul.
I love reading your blog!
Love you and Happy New year
Oh Sandy it is so great to hear from you. I get a snippet or two from Jill about your life from time to time and it sounds that you are well and such interesting things going on in your life. You really should do a blog just about your goings on! Miss seeing you and thank you so very much for your kind words. Happy New year.
Now that sounds like a nice way to start the new year…actually, perfect. 🙂 Wishing you all the best, Teresa.
It took me years to figure out how to do nothing, but I think I have it down to a fine art! Thanks so much sweet Karen.
Doing nothing sounds fabulous, I need to practice that. Happy 2016!
I must say now that I have it figured out this doing nothing is really fun!! Happy 2016 to you as well Gerlinde.
This looks DIVINE! I mean, look at that empty chocolatey mug! And you have done a good job at doing nothing. I need to remember to do nothing some of the time. Happy 2016 Teresa!
Thanks so much. It is hard to do nothing and still get things done, but give it a try every now and then. It works!
Ton chocolat chard a l’air si délicieux Teresa! Bonne et heureuse année.
Chaud not chard…darn auto correct!
Johanne, merci!
Oh-Yum- One mug full yes please…
Best to you and thank you very much for all your comments and likes this past year. Here’s to lots more blogging fun in 2016!
Thank you Teresa always a pleasure to follow and visit your Blog my friend!
Hey Teresa….been thinking about you and how you like to discover new stuff. Reading a book called The Jemima Code. Excellent and I think you will find fascinating reading. Keep the good food coming – enjoying it all! All the best Ro
Ro it is so great to hear from you and to know that you are following my blogs. I have so much fun with this and get to do lots of fun cooking and experimenting. I will check out that book. I have heard of it but not read it. Love a good book suggestion. Hope you are well. Happy 2016 my friend.
lovely!
Let me know when you are coming by next on a chilly willy day and I will have a cup waiting sweet girl.
Good idea!!! Marjolijn (Holland)
Thanks so much Marjolijn! Happy New Year from our Dutch household in Nashville, Tennesse to you!
Nothing is my favorite thing to do! And if I try this recipe, a mug just may be my second thing to do…lol! Happy New Year!
Many thanks Debbie and I hope you have the best of years!
That sounds like a very tasty way to start the new year 🙂
A very happy 2016 to you too!
A big thanks to you Carine for coming by and leaving a happy new year wish! Looking forward to our 2016 year of blogging and sharing.
goodness, it’s been extra rich and chocolaty lately at Food on Fifth!
after much busy-ness, doing nothing is much needed to restore and refill that creative well. glad you have become beautifully practiced at the art. here’s to a balance of busy and doing nothing in 2016. xN
Looks like you know how to “do nothing” exactly right! Happy New Year to you!
the images, wonderful
Now this is proper hot chocolate! Best thing for a cold day.