Tuesday, October 6, 2009

It Is Time For Hot Chocolate

As the weather gets cooler, the thought of hot chocolate and the memories that go with it, come to mind. I remember when our daughters were in middle school and high school, and their friends came over, hot chocolate was one of the drinks that we served. Recently, I was experimenting with creating chocolate curls, with the thought of using them on top of hot chocolate. I took two large milk chocolate bars and stood them upright on a dinner plate. With my vegtable peeler I peeled down the side of the bars, in a repeat fashion, which created a big pile of beautiful chocolate curls. In the above picture I displayed them in a small glass bowl, along with a glass bowl of tiny marshmellows, and a bowl of whipped cream. Just an idea of how to serve cups of hot chocolate to friends.


Of course, another idea to use the chocolate curls, would be to serve them on top of a dish of chocolate pudding and whipped cream. A few chocolate curls and tiny marshmellows would dress up a simple and delicious dessert in no time. I will store these chocolate curls in a tight plastic container in my cupboard, until needed. I did think that a small plastic container filled with chocolate curls, would make a special hostess gift for a friend, by simply adding a bow to the container.




They can be served with coffee, hot or cold, also. I have seen them displayed on coffee bars, and always thought it was a nice touch.
However, you choose to use these milk chocolate curls, you can be sure the added touch to the drinks or the dessert, will be noticed.



15 comments:

Kathleen said...

Oh my friend, I need some of that hot chocolate RIGHT NOW! I've been out and about Dusseldorf with foggy, damp air seeping into my innermost being. I did grab some coffee; it helped.

I don't think anyone here knows how to make the "pretty" sort of hot chocolate you do, so I probably wouldn't be happy even if I found some.

I'll have tea instead.

Your "little somethings" always intrigue me. What a gift you have.

Blessings,
Kathleen

Stacey said...

That looks delicious. I love hot chocolate. It's delicious and soothing. You make it look extra special.

Happy@Home said...

What a nice way to make a cup of hot chocolate or a dish of pudding a little more special. I also think they would make a nice hostess gift. I love the picture of that pretty white coffee mug on the polka dotted place mat.

Tracy said...

Oh, you're speaking my language, chocolate in any form...but especially hot chocolate with a little extra chocolate in the form of those adorable curls. Love it! You're right...they would make a wonderful hostess gift!! = )

Blessings,
Tracy

Barb said...

Judy, Judy, have you ever heard of the power of suggestion.....Ha!!!!!

This looks so delicious!

Barb ♥

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

Mmmmm. Hot chocolate! The curls are wonderful. I think I'll do a jar of them so they are handy for garnish! C

lindsey said...

This hot chocolate looks amazing. I had my first one of the season yesterday when out with a friend, I did manage to refuse the cream and marshmallows, although I really would have liked them added to the top!

Shelley said...

Such a beautiful & fun way to make hot chocolate! Judy - if I lived by you - I would be bugging you every day to come over to see what other treats you have in store!
:-)

Thoughts on Life and Millinery. said...

Chocolate curls: brilliant idea!

I've been reading up on cocoa vs. hot chocolate recipes and variations. A hot chocolate bar with whipping cream, homemade marshmellows (perhaps cherry flavored), cinnamon sticks, cake sprinkles, chocolate curls or chocolate leaves (paint melted chocolate on plastic leaves, cool, pop off, stack, use...) on and on the fun goes!

It makes me want to break down and buy a real antique chocolate pot set like the Victorian ladies had for their "first thing in the morning cup of chocolate served in bed."

Wanda said...

What a great idea! You always come up with the coolest ideas, Judy! You amaze me!

a woman who is said...

Hmmm I like that idea. You could make those curls and keep them in the fridge till the occasion arose. I have some of Jenna's roommates that are coming here to spend next weekend with us. I think I will have to go get me some chocolate bars, and whipped cream.

Such a creative girl you are!

Bethany said...

ahhhhhhh! I love this post! I'm not even one of those chocolate-lover types...I've always been more of a fruit girl! But hot chocolate is always so tempting especially in fall and winter! We had some of the best hot chocolate of our lives here in Krakow and they loaded it up top with CHOCOLATE WHIPPED CREAM!!!!!!! uhhhhhh! it was sooooo good! I love all of your fun ideas! I have a great recipe for Hot Cocoa mix that my mom makes every winter. I remember having hot chocolate with buttered toast before school when I was little--the best! before bed, we always had it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in it! (I got my friends in Minnesota hooked on that one) it's the best the cold and hot and then as the ice cream melts! Yum!
For Christmas one year, I made a whole bunch of the Cocoa mix and wrapped it up all cute and included the recipe as a little gift for all my clients (that I cleaned for) They were freaking out! they loved it! I love this idea of including the chocolate curls! where were you 8 years ago when I needed you?! haha
Oh Judy, now look I've gone on and on! this has gone way beyond the category of "comment" sorry!
haha
love
B

LisaShaw said...

Oh that looks delicious Judy. During the Christmas month is when I most enjoy my hot cups of cocoa as I read the Word and view our beautiful tree with it's warm white lights.

Love you.

Alison said...

This reminds me of the "how chocolate bar" I created for our Christmas party last year. I filled a crock pot with homemade hot cocoa and then put all sorts of things in little bowls around it. I had a bowl of mini marshmallows, a bowl of chocolate curls, a bowl of crushed peppermints, a bowl of whipped cream, and a bowl of chocolate chips. My guests absolutely loved it!

Judy said...

Now that's a great way to make hot chocolate special. I had never thought of storing chocolate curls in the fridge...ready at a moment's notice.

I'm not really a lover of chocolate...but a good cup of creamy hot chocolate (with whipping cream and chocolate curls) looks most appealiing right about now.

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