Chocolate is indigenous to Mexico. The Aztecs were enjoying a hot chocolate drink when the Spaniards explored Mexico. They made it with chocolate, honey, seeds, nuts, and spices. This was not as sweet as the hot chocolate we enjoy today, but it was enjoyed by the Aztec and Mayan royalty. The Europeans loved chocolate and took it back home with them. By the late 1700s, they started preparing it with milk and sugar, making a drink more similar to what we enjoy today. In Europe, chocolate quickly became a favorite in the royal palaces. Special china pots and cups were created especially for drinking hot chocolate. Today, these sets are collectors' items and sell for a lot of money if they are complete.
Hot chocolate is still enjoyed in Mexico every day. They make it with cinnamon and authentic Mexican chocolate. If you can get a disk of Mexican chocolate at a local Latino market, you will be able to make it even more authentic. If you cannot, just use some unsweetened chocolate. Even if you get some sweetened Mexican chocolate, you will find that it is much grainier than the chocolate you are used to. One of the important aspects of real Mexican hot chocolate is its frothiness. You can do this with a mixer or immersion blender, but if you want to make it the authentic way, you can purchase a molinillo, or chocolate whisk, at many places online. These are wooden tools that were initially created in the 1700s by the Spaniards in Mexico. The molinillo is rotated back and forth between the hands, stirring the chocolate until it becomes frothy.
Immersion Hand Blender
Before the invention of the molinillo, hot chocolate was made frothy by pouring back and forth between two cups. This tended to cool the chocolate at the same time, so unless you want cooler chocolate, it is best to use a mixer or molinillo to froth your chocolate. Frothy chocolate is made in may coffee shops by using their cappuccino machines. Most of us do not have one at home, so we make do with whatever tools we have on hand.
Recipe for Authentic Mexican Hot Chocolate
This spicy chocolate drink is rich and delicious.
What You Need
3 (1 ounce) squares of unsweetened chocolate 6 cups milk 1/4 cup granulated sugar 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon salt 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 6 cinnamon sticks for garnish (optional)How to Make It
Break up the chocolate squares into smaller pieces with a sharp knife.
In a medium sized saucepan, mix the chocolate, sugar, milk, cinnamon, and salt. Stir until the chocolate melts and the milk gets very hot but is not boiling. Add the vanilla and beat the mixture until it is frothy. A rotary beater, electric mixer, or immersion blender all work well. Set them on low so the hot chocolate does not fly all over the kitchen.
Pour the hot chocolate into mugs and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Makes 48 ounces.
Special Price!!! KitchenAid KHB300ER Hand Blender, Empire Red
Click for larger image and other views
KitchenAid KHB300ER Hand Blender, Empire Red Feature
- Ergonomic, fashion-colored housing with no-slip grip
- Includes wire whisk and nut chopper attachments
- 4-cup mixing beaker with snap-lock lid for storing foods
- Accessory bag with drawstring keeps all components together
- Measures 17 by 3 by 6 inches; 1-year, hassle-free, replacement warranty
KitchenAid KHB300ER Hand Blender, Empire Red Overview
Variable Speed Control dial on top of BlenderKitchenAid KHB300ER Hand Blender, Empire Red Specifications
A great gift for those with small kitchens, this hand-held blender and its accessories take the place of several larger appliances. Included are a regular blending blade (which can be immersed 8 inches into soup pots or deep bowls), a wire whisk for beating eggs and batters, and an enclosed chopper for nuts, cheese, and fresh herbs. Also included are a four-cup mixing beaker with a snap-lock lid, useful for storing blended ingredients, as well as a drawstring bag to keep all the components together. KitchenAid covers the blender with a one-year, hassle-free replacement warranty. --Ann BieriSAVE NOW on the special offers below!
Available In Stock. |
| This KitchenAid KHB300ER Hand Blender, Empire Red ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. |
Price : Click to Check Update Prices Please. |
