Darlene’s Hot Chocolate

In my section of the world, today is BRRRRRRRRRRRR...

Just the day to curl up in a chair with a book, blanket, and kitten, sipping the hot chocolate I've prepared for my family for over three deceades. In fact, it's exactly the way Melissa's mother makes it.

It’s hard to concentrate on homework when mourning the loss of one’s father, grandmother, friend, and even her dog. Melissa didn’t think a steaming mug of hot chocolate in her favorite purple mug could make a difference, but it did. Cuddling and talking with her mother, helped, too.

 Darlene’s Hot Chocolate

By Denise M. Baran-Unland

¼ cup cocoa

½ cup sugar

1/3 cup water

2 cups milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

Vanilla ice cream (optional)

Combine cocoa and sugar; add water and stir. Heat until mixture simmers. Add milk, stir again, and heat until sugar/cocoa mixture is dissolved. Remove from heat, add vanilla, stir, and serve. Good topped with ice cream. Yield: 4 servings.

 From "Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles From 'Bryony'"

All proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties. www.bbbswillgrundy.org.

Order the cookbook at www.bryonyseries.com/Dalton_s_Dry_Goods.html.