Parisian Hot Chocolate Recipe

Parisian Hot Chocolate Recipe: Le Chocolat Chaud

When the winter chill comes to Paris, one of the great pleasures is sipping a cup of rich hot chocolate, le chocolat chaud, in a cozy café. Contrary to popular belief, most versions of Parisian hot chocolate are made with milk rather than cream, and get their luxurious richness from lots of top-quality chocolate. This cup of chocolat chaud is deeply-flavorful, but not over-the-top rich…so there’s no need to feel guilty indulging in a nice, warm cup whenever you feel the need.

Parisian Hot Chocolate
Four ‘Parisian-sized’ Servings

2 cups (.5l) whole milk
5 ounces (130 g) bittersweet chocolate, (with at least 70% cacao solids), finely chopped
optional: 2 tablespoons light brown sugar

1. Heat the milk in a medium-sized saucepan.
2. Once the milk is warm, whisk in the chocolate, stirring until melted and steaming hot. For a thick hot chocolate, cook at a very low boil for about 3 minutes, whisking frequently. (Be careful and keep an eye on the mixture, as it may boil up a bit during the first moments.)
3. Taste, and add brown sugar if desired.
Serve warm in small demitasse or coffee cups.
Note: This hot chocolate improves if made ahead and allowed to sit for a few hours. Rewarm before serving. I also like to add a few flecks of fleur de sel, the very good sea salt from Brittany.

Enjoy!
Ruth Ann
http://www.raggbaggs.com

Happiness by Thoreau

Happiness to you always!
Ruth Ann
http://www.raggbaggs.com

Hershey's Perfectly Chocolate Cake Recipe

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup Hershey's cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water


Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9" round cake pans.

Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa baking power, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Add eggs. milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour into prepared pans.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes and remove from pan, turning onto a wire rack. Frost as desire


'PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE' FROSTING

1/2 cup butter or margarine
2/3 cup Hershey's cocoa
3 cups confectioners sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt butter. Alternately add confectioners sugar and milk. Beat to spreading consistency.
Add a small amount of milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. 

 

Enjoy!

Ruth Ann

http://www.raggbaggs.com

New Year 2011

Monday, January 3, 2011

Happy 2011! I really meant to post on 11/1/11, but still had (have) the flu. I came down with it just before Thanksgiving and still have it. Blah!

When I was awake, we spent the time making plans for the new year - details to come.

At this point, my Etsy account is inactive. It's just too demanding on my time with the holidays and my poor health. I hope to have it active again soon.

I did all of my holiday shopping on the Internet. What a treat not to have to fight the crowds when I'm feeling poorly. Darling hubby wouldn't tell me what he wanted, so he got lots of gourmet cookware - including a gelato machine that makes ice cream in 30 minutes. Wow! Trouble is, I think we can eat it faster than that!

We are learning the newest game of Trivial Pursuit. Such questions! It has also added the element of gambling. I'm not totally against gambling, but I'd rather answer questions.

Ray bought me a fabulous bracelet from Morning Glory Designs - to be found on Etsy. It is shown in the picture above. Willie does the most fabulous work!

Must rest for a while, so I can beat Ray playing Trivial Persuit. (He beat me 2 out of 2 last night. Hum Bug!

Ruth Ann

http://www.raggbaggs.com

Free counters

Bell's Seasoning Recipe

Monday, November 29, 2010

If you have been unable to locate
Bell's Seasoning,

here is the recipe for making it yourself:

· 1/4 TEASPOON THYME

· 3/4 TEASPOON SAGE

· 1/4 TEASPOON MARJORAM

· 1/4 TEASPOON ROSEMARY

· 1/4 TEASPOON BLACK PEPPER

· 1/4 TEASPOON NUTMEG

Enjoy!

Ruth Ann

http://www.raggbaggs.com

Thanksgiving Day 2010

Friday, November 26, 2010

I hope that you all had a fun and blessed Thanksgiving!

We survived the usual boring dinner at the funeral home.
We had a few extra people this year which made life more interesting.

The Lord has truly blessed us this year.

I am still alive and able to walk some
even though my doctor says that I should be dead.

Ray has been laid off almost two years now.
We had health insurance through last month -
though at a very high rate.

We have had the time to plan for a new business
where we will be totally self employed.

I have had the opportunity to plan some new beadwork.

May the Good Lord bless you and your family!

Ruth Ann

http://www.raggbaggs.com