Hot Chocolate in July

Ginger Hot Chocolate 

There are times when out-of-season experiences make their way to present day existence. The crisp cool air, camp fires and comfy sweaters that typically accompany the fourth quarter months of the calendar make it ever more attractive to wrap one's hands around a steaming hot mug of something.  However, there are moments when cooler climates aren't necessary to conjure up an experience. 

That liquid “something” paired with the act of “wrapping” directly correlates with a desire to find comfort in a moment.  The act of consumption is the moment. The vessel is the target of an enveloping embrace and the content of the vessel is intended to warm the human spirit.

Chocolate with its sensual and medicinal qualities changes lives no matter the rendition of its character, but in this instance one should visualize the same spicy Mayan delicacy the character Vianne poured for her customers in the movie Chocolat where the mere consumption of the beverage set each individual on a path of relaxation bound for joy.

That about sets the comfort zone for most of us seeking to wrap ourselves in the moment, but rarely is hot chocolate a solo experience. Marshmallows rank high on the pleasure list of pairing possibilities followed immediately by crème fraiche and whipped cream. The cool light flotation of sweetness served atop the warm smooth dark essence of chocolate is visually appealing, but also renders a lovely notation beyond the eyes.  In fact, each of these delicately whipped plumes of white are the yang to the yin of chocolate.  Add to that perfect pairing a dusting of nutmeg, cinnamon or cayenne and one truly can create comfort in a moment.  

Homemade Orange Marshmallows

Fall heralds a time of year when an assortment of beverages not enjoyed during any other period become a routine offering until the next change of season transpires. The crisp cool air, camp fires, and comfy sweaters are made for wrapping one's hands around a steaming hot mug. For me, it's hot chocolate made from rich dark cocoa, not the convenient packaged versions, rather the prepared from scratch topped with marshmallows rendition. Visualize the same spicy Mayan delicacy Vianne poured in the movie Chocolat and that's my preferred version, but I also like an assortment of other preparations. Chocolate changes lives no matter the version you are consuming (so would say my friend Karen Hawkins the romance novelist). I personally rank marshmallows high on the pleasure list of self indulgence, right up there with creme fraiche and whipped cream. Perhaps these delicate white clouds are the yang to the yin of chocolate. I could happily eat them singularly all day long as well as on whatever they were actually prepared to be served with. Made from scratch hot chocolate, homemade marshmallows, there's a great deal of love in my mug right now. This marshmallow recipe is from Giada DeLaurentis (Giada at Home, Sugar Rush episode)

Ingredients

* Butter, for greasing the pan
* Powdered sugar, for dusting
* 1/2 cup water, plus 1/4 cup
* 3 tablespoons (3 packets) unflavored gelatin
* 2 cups sugar
* 1/2 cup evaporated milk
* 1 large orange, zested
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* Orange decorating sugar*
* *Can be found at cake decorating stores
* Special equipment: a candy thermometer

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/homemade-orange-marshmallows-recipe/index.html