During the winter, when evenings are dark and you’re at home more, it’s the perfect opportunity to take your time over making something indulgent and luxurious like this Hot Chocolate. Real Belgian, French and Italian hot chocolate use actual chocolate rather than powder because the milk solids add depth and flavour to the drink. Don’t rush heating the milk or melting the chocolate because you’ll ruin it. Take your time and enjoy… it’s something special.

Makes 2 mugs
INGREDIENTS
100g very dark chocolate
sugar to taste (1 or 2 teaspoons)
450ml whole milk
optional
marshmallows, whipped cream, grated nutmeg or cinnamon

• Gently heat the milk and sugar (you can add more sugar later but it might not dissolve as much). Once you see bubbles popping around the edge of the pan the milk is ready. If you let it boil the fat starts to separate and become grainy.
• Separate the chocolate into a microwave safe bowl then heat in 30 second bursts to melt. Doing it this way ensures you don’t overheat the chocolate which, again, makes the hot chocolate grainy.
• Whisk the melted chocolate into the warmed milk until smooth. Pour into a jug for easy serving then decant.