Well it is darn cold here, it is March for heaven’s sake and the “Beast from the East” has blown in.
So I have snow, gales and no electricity. The power went off around midnight last night, Norweb are “on the job”; a tree has come down in the woods behind the house, so chainsaws are out and I should get power back today.
But I have my camping stoves out and my fire roaring. So why not hot chocolate, with a hot twist to make things a bit better!

Chilli & Spices Hot Chocolate

Chilli & Spices Hot Chocolate

Ingredients
400ml Milk
50ml double cream
1 Cinnamon stick
1 vanilla pod
1 chilli 
100g dark chocolate
Amaretto syrup (or the real thing if after 8pm)

Chilli & Spices Hot Chocolate

Chilli & Spices Hot Chocolate

Chilli & Spices Hot Chocolate

Method

Slice the vanilla pod in half lengthways
Slice the chilli in half lengthways and remove the seeds, 
or if using dried but into a hessian bag
Grate the chocolate
Put the milk and cream into a pan, along with the cinnamon, 
chilli and vanilla pod
Bring to a gentle boil
Take off the heat and whisk in the chocolate.
Leave to infuse for 10 or so minutes
Remove the spices

Re-heat as required
Top up with some syrup (as you would for a latte)

Cooking this on a camping stove adds to the fun.