Summer Storm: Hot Chocolate

In the past 18 years I've learned something about Southern California weather.  And that's the fact that you can't predict Southern California weather.

It's been practically summer here for weeks, despite being April.  Until yesterday.  Yesterday the sky filled with clouds, and it was cold enough that I felt bad for not sending a sweatshirt in with Thatkid to school.  Thatboy said it even rained at his office. 

And while such weather wouldn't be terribly uncommon in other parts of the country (April showers anyone?) it always takes us by surprise since it seems to come from out of the blue.  Luckily, those of us who went to work/school without appropriate spring attire found a good way to warm up once we were home.

Hot chocolate is another one of those things that I didn't realize "came from a box" until I was older.  Thatmom always made it stovetop - a pot of Hershey's cocoa and milk simmering and filling the kitchen with it's warmth. 

 Hot Cocoa

4 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa

2 Tbsp sugar

pinch of salt

4 cups milk

few drops of vanilla extract

1. Mix the cocoa, sugar, and salt with 1/2 cup warm water in a medium sized saucepan and boil gently for 2 minutes.
2. Add the milk and heat slowly, just to the boiling point.
3. Beat with a whisk and add a few drops of vanilla extract.