thursday recipe: hot chocolate with coconut milk and cinnamon

Well, its back to reality today with a slight thud.

We were high on excitement yesterday as we finally got to venture into Melbourne to see the spectacular show that is the Lion King. I booked the tickets three months ago and the wait seemed long, but was well worth it.

The day was made doubly special because my aunt came with us, an aunt whom I'm close to and who the boys adore. Either side of the show there were cafe stops, chats and laughs, stopping to watch sidewalk artists, wandering around Federation Square and generally just enjoying hanging out together...on a Wednesday!

Despite myself I have to say I am kind of enjoying winter this year. I enjoyed checking out what everyone was wearing in the city yesterday, how they 'do' winter, there were great coats, beanies, hats, scarves, dressing for winter as opposed to dressing in denial of winter really is the key to being able to enjoy it.

And the other good things about winter come of course out of the kitchen. Today I want to share a chocolatey concoction that is warming, nourishing and immensely satisfying.

If you've never made a drink like this before adding coconut oil will seem a little bit weird at first especially when you see the oily film on top of your drink but don't be put off it really adds a beautiful richness to the drink.

Ingredients

Coconut milk - 1 cup per person
Cocoa - 1 teaspoon per person
Ground cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon per person (you could use a cinnamon quill if you don't have ground cinnamon just use one in the pot for about 4 people)
Honey - 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per person depending on how sweet you like things
Coconut oil - 1 teaspoon per person
Boiling water

To make

Place coconut milk and cinnamon in a saucepan and warm gently over a low heat.
While the milk is warming add cocoa to cups and with a splash of boiling water dissolve the cocoa powder.
Once the milk is at the temperature you like it pour it into the cups and stir in honey and coconut oil.

Easy and delicious.

Stay warm. I hope you like this as much as I do. Let me know if you and your family like it.