Thursday, February 14, 2008

Hot Chocolate Please!


This cat is clearly Italian. The cafe lifestyle is not lost on any creature here. And the cafe is the place to be come mid-day when all the shops close until the evening. You can get an American style coffee at the cafe's by ordering a caffe' americano, but take my recommendation and order a hot chocolate. If you like your chocolate dark and thick enough to stand your spoon in the center of the cup, then order it heartily. If they say "con panna?" say "yes please!" because Italian whip cream is scrumptious.
It's as simple as this:


Italian Hot Chocolate
(from 'La Cucina Italiana' Magazine)

6 ounces bittersweet chocolate
2 cups water
whipped cream

Melt 6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate with the 2 cups of water in a double boiler; transfer to a blender and whip for 30 seconds; reheat in the double boiler, pour into 2 mugs, and top with freshly whipped cream.

So whether you get the hot chocolate or a cappuccino or a traditional espresso, well they're all good, but now you have to decide what to eat with it...

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