Xocolatl

A fiery and old-fashioned recipe for the original blend of hot chocolate. It may not give you the strength of an ancient Aztec warrior, but it will certainly put a fire in your belly!

Ingredients Serves 2

• 1 ½ cups (350ml) milk

• ½ cup dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips or 100g dark chocolate, chopped

• ½ cup (120ml) water

• 2 teaspoons honey or sugar, add more if it’s not sweet enough

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• 1 red chilli

Materials

• Pan

• Stove

Method

1. Warm the milk and chocolate chips in a pan over a low/medium heat until the chocolate melts, whisking often.

2. Add water, honey, cinnamon and vanilla, mix thoroughly. (For the authentic Mesoamerican experience, leave out the honey!)

3. Cut the chilli in half, remove and discard the seeds, then add the chilli to the pan. Watch the mixture and remove it from the heat as soon as it begins to boil.

4. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes to infuse the flavours. Taste test during this time. Remove the chilli if it’s getting too spicy, and add more honey (or sugar) if you want it sweeter.

5. Serve warm or cold.