Oooooh La La! Chocolat Chaud... Mmmmmmm

Pic by Cambria Cove

Sometimes I get the Cambria Cove catalog in the mail. It's a lot of fun to peruse. They have some really great things in there. This Hot Chocolate Maker by Bialetti  has often caught my fancy.

Okay! I'll admit it. I am not a huge fan of hot chocolate. So this doesn't make any sense to me either. But when I went to Paris a few years ago my good friend, Alison, who had lived in Paris a few years herself told me that I "must go to Cafe Angelina for their Chocolat  L'Africain." I put it down on my list of things to do and ended up not only liking it - but LOVING it! Cafe Angelina is close to the Louvre and right across the street from the Tuileries Garden. It was also the perfect place to go while it rained outside. It was so crowded, though, that I thought it would take us forever to get in. Luckily, it was not. My friend Rachel and I were seated fairly soon and we ordered the African hot chocolate.

Pic from thekitchn.com

Pic from cakespy.com

Pic from whatscookingamerica.net

First of all, the hot chocolate doesn't come to the table like it does here in the States. You get a full pitcher full of rich, thick, melted chocolate, a little cup of whip cream heaven and then your large saucer in which to drink it in. The hot chocolate is thicker than any hot chocolate I've had - even in other Paris cafe's and Switzerland (aka Chocolate heaven). You get to mix in the whip cream to your liking. Some like it thicker and richer chocolate, others prefer a little more milk added to it. They don't guess at Cafe Angelina's -- they let you decide and perfect your own cup.

The only unfortunate part was that I had horrible morning sickness (it was a rough pregnancy from start to finish) and couldn't drink the entire thing. I keep telling my DH that I need a Paris redux but without morning sickness! The first place I'd go would be Cafe Angelina and get the hot chocolate and their macaroons. Mmmmmmm...

But since I know I won't be going to Paris any time soon (boo hoo) this little $100 hot chocolate maker might make it okay until then.

Here is a recipe I found online at Savoy TV for the hot chocolate recipe at Cafe Angelinas. I haven't made it - yet - so I'm not sure if it's even close. But it's worth a try.

Bon Appetit!

Café Angelina’s Chocolat L’Africain (deliciously decadent hot chocolate)

This recipe serves 2 small cups, or one large cup. 2 serious chocolate lovers should double it!

1/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 tsp of confectioners’ sugar (aka powdered sugar)
4 oz of chopped 72% Omanhene brand bittersweet chocolate (you may use another brand here, but ensure that it is close to 70% cocoa. We chopped up half of a Lindt 70% bar, found in the baking section of our regular grocery store.)
Heat the milk, cream, and sugar over medium high heat until bubbles are created around the pot.
Remove the pot from heat.   Add the bittersweet chocolate.
Stir until melted adjusting heat as needed.  Serve topped with whipped cream.

{Tasting Notes: Our review after making this -  it’s similar to drinking a chocolate bar, and perfect for those evenings when you are craving sweets after dinner.  And put your guilt on the back burner, dark chocolate is antioxidant packed.}

Let me know if you want to go back there with me. I'm ready and willing whenever!

Hope you enjoy!