Mayan Hot Chocolate

By Carla

Have you seen the movie, Chocolat? This is like the hot chocolate that was served in the movie.

Ingredients

• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 chile pepper, cut in half, seeds removed (with gloves)
• 5 cups light cream or whole or nonfat milk
• 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
• 1 to 2 cinnamon sticks
• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate or
• 3 tablets Mexican chocolate, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons sugar or honey, or to taste
• l tablespoon almonds or hazelnuts, ground extra fine
• Whipped cream

Preparation

Step 1

In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add chile pepper to boiling water. Cook until liquid is reduced to 1 cup. Remove chile pepper; strain water and set aside.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine cream or milk, vanilla bean and cinnamon stick until bubbles appear around the edge. Reduce heat to low; add chocolate and sugar or honey; whisk occasionally until chocolate is melted and sugar dissolves. Turn off heat; remove vanilla bean and cinnamon stick. Add chile-infused water, a little at a time, tasting to make sure the flavor isn't too strong. If chocolate is too thick, thin with a little more milk.

Serve in small cups and offer ground almonds or hazelnuts and whipped cream.