As the weather cools down, try out this new version of Hot Chocolate! It is adapted from a recipe for chocolate peanut butter sauce, developed by Nigella Lawson and included in the recipe book A Girl Called Jack by Jack Monroe.
A melding of flavours gives the drink a number of layers of chocolate, peanut butter or a mix of the two. If doing the vegan version and using almond milk, there is a third flavour to enjoy.
Ingredients
- 50ml water
- 3 squares of chocolate. Any plain is good, dark makes it a little bitter.
- 1 heaped tablespoon of peanut butter (smooth is best but crunchy works)
- 150ml milk (for vegans, go almond, and there is a taste extension right there…)
Method
- Pop the water, peanut butter and chocolate together in a small saucepan on medium heat.
- Stir well until the chocolate and peanut butter have melted and formed a glossy, sticky paste.
- Add a bit of the milk and stir it in, add more of the milk and stir, then finally all of it.
- Do NOT pour all the milk in at once at the beginning, as it will seize and go yuk.
To Serve
Pour the milky mix into your mug and drink up slowly and with the sort of reverence you see in advertisements.
Microwave Version
You can make this in the microwave in 20-second bursts.
- Into a microwave-safe bowl place the water, chocolate and peanut butter.
- Twenty seconds in, then stir well, then twenty seconds again and stir. Continue until the mixture is melted and combined.
- However, just like porridge, it’s not as good and creamy as when gently coaxed along on the stove.
Enjoy with a biscuit or a piece of slice.
Sharing
For sharing, double the quantities of the ingredients.
Extra tips
- You can use milk powder and 150ml water to make up the milk. Using this instead gives an even richer taste.
- You can also use any plant-based milk you desire or require. You might need a vegan, or lactose or dairy-free option, depending on your dietary requirements. For example, almond milk or oat milk will enrich and complement this recipe well for a more nutrient-rich option and will bring their own flavour dynamic too.
- Can be made with crunchy peanut butter if that's all there is in the kitchen. The crunchy bits in the bottom of the mug can be eaten when you've finished or you can always strain them out.
- You can also experiment with different nut-butters (like almond or cashew) or even Nutella in place of peanut butter, for a delectable choc-hazelnut indulgence!
To consider
Jack Monroe’s Cornish Yarg Fish pie, as a budget-buster meal is highly recommended. With greens or a salad, it is a beaut. It takes about forty minutes with prep time and has a bit of faffing about. Apparently, it is seriously worth it. The recipe is available in the book called A Girl called Jack.
Allergy Alert*
* The ingredients used in this Hot Chocolate recipe may cause an allergic reaction.
