Today is Pickle’s daytime nativity performace where he is one of the narrators. Obviously there is a lot of excitement in the house but just one problem. Guess what? Yup…he is ill! And having been up several times in the night I am not feeling too hot either! So Ice Age 3 is on the TV and I am once again sitting on the sofa trying to work whilst keeping one eye on the film! There are so many funny ‘adult’ bits in Ice Age 3…if you haven’t seen it and your kids are ill why not grab a copy? As I write, the quality line…”it’s a boy”…”no that’s her tail!” has just been uttered. As I sit and snigger, Pickle has no idea what is going on! Anyway Pickle will be better enough to go in this afternoon to deliver his lines…I have promised his teacher! However, at the moment it doesn’t look too good. The paracetamol will be coming out soon! In order to speed up the recovery and keep the germs at bay (cough cough) we are having this truly decadent hot chocolate and nutella on toast! Never mind hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows. This is the real deal. Pure thick chocolate heaven! REAL hot chocolate in my books!
Mine, scattered with cinnamon
Before I share the recipe (not that it is really a recipe…but the idea), I thought I would tell you quickly about my trials so far with my Zero Gluten Baker bread machine. Some of you will have read on Twitter or Facebook that I have been asked to be a Zero Gluten Baker ambassador and provide them with feedback on the machine along with inputting into its future development. This meant being sent a machine to try out. So far, I have only managed a couple of experiments with it but I have actually been pretty impressed (despite initially thinking it unnecessary). Not only does it bake loaves, but you can bake ciabatta sized breads along with rolls in different sized tins that fit in the machine! I even managed to easily make my nutella twist bread in it, divided into two smaller loaves! Anyway, I shall keep you posted with how I get on with it and hope to get a vlog up before Christmas telling you all about it. On to the real hot chocolate…you don’t need much of this. It is luxurious and rich and an espresso cupful is just enough to give you a little boost! Just think of all those wonderful anti-oxidants whizzing around your body when you have drunk it!! Enjoy! 
Real Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 150 g water
- 50 g dark chocolate at least 70% - make sure it is gluten and dairy-free if important!
- Optional brown sugar to taste
- Optional flavours...cinammon orange extract, peppermint extract, chilli...
Method
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Place the water and chocolate in a small saucepan over a medium heat.
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Allow the chocolate to melt stirring all the time.
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Simmer for approx. 5 minutes until the mixture has thickened.
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Serve with your choice of flavour and sugar to taste (I don't have any!)
I shared this with:
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins says
This looks and sounds so good! I will definitely be telling my hubby about this one 🙂 x #TastyTuesdays
Vicki Montague says
I hate powdered hot chocolate…far too incipid for me! Thick and chocolatey is the way forward!!!
Mummy Tries says
Yes yes yes! I’ve reinteiduced Cocoa now so will be giving this a whirl asap
Vicki Montague says
Oooo excellent news! Dark chocolate is so good for you so I think you can forgive the little bit of chocolate in it!!!!
Mel says
Love hot chocolate! We had some with dark chocolate and milk after swimming on Sunday. There’s nothing to make you feel better! That bread machine sounds good. Are the recipes egg-free?
Vicki Montague says
Hi Mel, yes the recipes are egg-free funnily enough although they then need Orgran gluten replacer…so I have not been following the recipes!!! I used to melt dark chocolate into milk but actually prefer it the ‘pure’ way…melted in water is sooooo much better!
Kate - glutenfreealchemist says
My goodness that looks amazingly rich and gooey! I hope your little one made the play. Mine is much the same this week with a hacking cough and a performance at the weekend which she needs to be better for! Fingers crossed x
Vicki Montague says
My little soldier managed to do both plays despite having a temperature, cough and sniffles! He is still at home so not much being done this week!!! Hope yours is better before the weekend x
Honest mum says
Oh yummy, so simple and quick to make, my favourite kind of recipes when the kids are around and I love thick hot chocolate! Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays
Vicki Montague says
It is a real treat recipe. The best hot chocolate ever!
International Elf Service says
Oh this sounds very very yummy indeed and I’ll definitely be making this!! #freefromfridays
Vicki Montague says
It is so delicious! I really want one now but have put myself on a strict no sugar diet again to try and combat candida. Only on day one and I can’t hack it already 😉
Emma says
Lush!! This would be perfect with Churros – need to post that recipe at some point! #freefromfridays
Vicki Montague says
Oh yes you do! Especially if it can be done without a deep fryer!
Natalie Tamara says
Yum, I can’t believe how simple this is to make. Chocolate mint would be my flavour of choice 🙂
Vicki Montague says
Hi Natalie, it is very simple and very delicious! So much nicer than a milky sweet hot chocolate!