Exotic Aztec Chili Hot Chocolate!

It's still FREEZING outside! UGH.  Let's Warm up with this delicious hot chocolate recipe inspire by the one's who created it...The Aztecs!  If you live somewhere warm - you have to try it anyway!

The Aztecs were the first to serve chocolate as a drink.  I’m finding this is becoming popular again, as we search for the exotic! They mixed it with hot chili pepper.  I tried this and love it, especially with Chicago's everlasting frigid weather. You can always reduce the amount of chili if it's too hot for you.




Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 1 2/3 cups milk
• 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
• 1 red chili pepper, split with seeds removed
• 1 cinnamon stick, around 3-4"
• 1 1/2 oz chocolate (bittersweet)

Preparation:

Simmer milk in a saucepan with vanilla bean, cinnamon and chili. Heat through for about a minute. Whisk in grated chocolate, and continue to simmer until melted. Remove from heat and let sit  or 'steep' for another 5 minutes. Strain out the spices and return to warm for about 2 minutes. I added frothed milk to the top then drizzled melted red chocolate & regular chocolate to add a pretty decoration. (Toothpick to drag & make decoration). Serve!


AMAZINGLY GOOD!

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