It was Raggedy Ann’s birthday. Again. It seems that she turned twenty today and wanted muffins and hot chocolate. Hmmmmmmm…..
Since it was so cold and since we are cold wimps-though to be fair, living right over here near the Hudson River IS about ten degrees colder than elsewhere in the city-we decided to work with what we had on hand. That included a large brick of white chocolate that has just been sitting there, waiting. I had every intention of making the brick into cardamom-spiced white chocolate truffles. But, then it was Raggedy’s birthday again, and the larder was low.
While I have absolutely nothing to say that would convince anyone of the health benefits of white chocolate, it does take well to being spiced and served at tea parties. It also happens to be pretty delicious. This recipe is mini-chef-sized and is definitely meant to be served in demitasse or doll cups.
And P.S. I think that Raggedy might have started lying about her age. Only 20? C’mon!
White Hot Chocolate Spiced with Cardamom
*1 c. milk
*4 cardamom pods
*1-2 oz. white chocolate (sweet), coarsely chopped
*1/2 t. vanilla
*ground cardamom for the garnish
Together: Help your mini-chef crush the cardamom pods in a mortar and pestle. Place these and the milk in a small saucepan.
Big Person: Heat the cardamom-milk mixture over a low-medium flame, whisking every once in a while, till the mixture is hot but not boiling. Take it off of the heat, discard the cardamom pods, and briskly whisk in the white chocolate till smooth.
Together: When the mixture cools a bit, you and your Yummy can add the vanilla, serve in little teacups or demi-tasse, and top with a pinch of ground cardamom and a few mini-marshmallows.
