My daughter and I are always on the lookout for a good cup of hot chocolate. The other night, after a long day, I decided to have some for dinner. I had a bar of Scharffen Berger bittersweet chocolate that was sent to me at work. As I was out of milk, I resorted to heavy cream, which was the only dairy product in the fridge. I combined it with about a cup of water, the 3 ounce bar of Scharffen Berger, a smidge of sugar, and a dash of malted milk powder. I put it in a heavy pan over low heat, and left it to heat as I folded a load of laundry. I returned to the creamiest, best hot chocolate I've ever made. I've never paid that much attention to chocolate, as it's not my love. But in the past I've tried to make it like this with whatever inexpensive chocolate I've on hand. It's always been grainy and not very good. But this was an epiphany. I don't know if the 70% cacao (on the label) was the key, or the Scharffen Berger brand, but you can bet, when it comes to hot chocolate, or melting chocolate in general, I'll choose Scharffen Berger.
Best Hot Chocolate
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup water
3 ounces Scharffen Berger Bittersweet Chocolate
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon malted milk powder (optional)
Dash of salt
1. Combine all in a heavy saucepan over medium-low heat. Fold the laundry or make a phone call. Return to barely simmering creamy hot chocolate. Stir well and serve in a mug all for yourself....... Actually will serve 2.
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Summer's here— the perfect time for berries and calcium-rich ice cream.
Speaking of calcium, some interesting and very positive research has come from the National Dairy Council. Researchers from the American Cancer Society have linked a higher intake of dietary calcium from dairy foods to a reduced risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Those taking in more than 1250mg calcium per day had a 20 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer. Interestingly, the researchers found no link between calcium supplements and breast cancer risk. So hold the Tums and bring on the milk.
To spotlight this valuable nutrient, here are a parfait and a stelar macaroni and cheese recipe, both of which can be accompanied by a tall glass of milk, which weighs in at 300mg calcium all by itself.
Berries and Cream Parfait
One-half cup strawberry ice cream contains about 90mg of calcium.
½ cup strawberry ice cream
½ cup raspberry sorbet
3 ginger wafers, crumbled
½ cup fresh strawberries, blueberries or raspberries
1 tablespoon Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur
Place ice cream and sorbet in a glass, top with ginger wafers and berries and drizzle with liqueur. Serves 1.
Macaroni and Cheese
A serving of this contains 420mg calcium, one-third of the daily requirements for the average adult.
3 cups uncooked penne pasta
1 large egg
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 cup 2% low-fat milk
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
4 ounces cream cheese
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
3⁄4 cup (3 ounces) grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons butter
12 saltine crackers, crumbled
1. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain.
2. Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 13 x 9-inch or 8-cup casserole dish.
3. Combine egg, garlic and milk and mix well. Place pasta in a large casserole dish. Add milk mixture and remaining ingredients, except butter and crackers. Mix well with a spoon. Combine butter and crackers. Sprinkle over pasta. Bake 30 minutes or until browned and bubbly. Serves 8.
Per serving: 398 calories, 23g fat, 18g prot., 28g carbs., 1g fiber, 451mg sodium.
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