Sensual Italian hot chocolate for your Valentine

February 8, 1:48 PMItalian Living ExaminerSerenella Leoni

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The Italian relationship with food is passionate and sensual. What could be more sensual than thick, dark, hot chocolate?

Why not surprise your Valentine with a simple but special chocolate drink made with lots of love?

In the colder months,visitors often discover the wonderful hot chocolate served in cafes all over Italy. Once you have tasted the Italian version of hot chocolate, it is very difficult to drink the bland versions back home.

Italian hot chocolate is an almost pudding-like concoction that smells wonderful and coats your throat as you drink it.

Italians prefer desserts and drinks that are less
sweet-tasting than Americans and hot chocolate is no
exception. The goal is a bitter-sweet, smooth taste with
non-sweetened whipped cream on top.

In Tuscany (the home of "The Valley of Chocolate" that lies
between Pisa and Florence), there is no end to the supply of
velvety, deeply flavorful chocolate from local suppliers such
as Slitti, Amedei, Corsini and many others. Any of these
chocolates make a great start for a hot chocolate drink. If
you cannot find Italian chocolate, any high quality chocolate
will work. Remember, the secret is in each detail so use the
best possible ingredients!

Italians generally drink their chocolate in a cappuccino cup
filled halfway. Here are two typical recipes below. Which
one will you like best?

Hot Chocolate Recipe 1 (Adapted from "La scienza in Cucina e l'arte di mangiar bene by Pellegrino Artusi):

Ingredients:
3 ounces high-quality bittersweet chocolate
1 cup water
2 to 3 tablespoons unsweetened whipped cream
Dash of cinnamon (optional)

Note: In Italy, many people add corn or potato starch as a
thickener. You may want to try this if you like your hot
chocolate extremely thick.

Execution: Please pay careful attention to this process as it
is very important: In the top of a double boiler, over boiling
water, combine the chocolate and the water to melt the
chocolate. Stir until it is dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour
into a blender and whip for 30 seconds (or use an immersion
mixer) or whisk by hand for 5 minutes. Return mixture to
double boiler and heat until hot and steamy. Serve with the
whipped cream on top.

Hot Chocolate Recipe 2 (from Caffé Vestri in Florence)

Ingredients:
5 tablespoons Dutch processed cocoa powder (like Pernigotti,
Van Hooten, or Droste)
2 tablespoons sugar
6 ounces (70 - 80%) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
2 cups milk
Chili powder (optional)

Execution: Place the cocoa powder, sugar, and 3-4 tablespoons
of the milk in a saucepan and heat until the sugar melts,
stirring well to remove any lumps. Boil the remaining mile
then add to the chocolate mix. Heat to steaming, while
whisking to thoroughly incorporate the ingredients.

Remove from heat and add the chopped chocolate. Stir to melt
the chocolate then let it sit. Reheat and stir well before
serving.

Hot chocolate with chile pepper is currently very "in" in
Tuscany. You can add a pinch of chili powder, or ginger if
you like.

Then just serve and cuddle up with your sweetie...