Winter: How to Make the Season of Hibernation Delightful!
Now that the holiday hoopla is over, the decorations are put away, and the dust has somewhat settled, what do you think of the idea of hosting a winter hibernation party?
“Hibernation” because that’s what winter’s all about. It’s the time we snuggle in, slow down, and indulge in all that’s cozy and warm.
It doesn’t have to be anything complicated or extravagant. Just ask your favorite people over for a game night. Or you could make it even simpler and just focus on good conversation and some favorite treats.
It’s the treats angle that I want to focus on. Wouldn’t it be fun to set up a toasted cheese sandwich bar? You could lay out all the makings for gourmet cheesers and guests could build and toast their own. For instance, consider these combinations:
The BLEU CHEESE, FIG, and PROSCIUTTO?
Or BRIE AND CARMELIZED ONION GRILLED CHEESE?
Or the ultimate APPLE AND BACON GRILLED CHEESE?
Or how about the GUACAMOLE GRILLED CHEESE?
The Internet overflows with toasted cheese sandwich ideas. The above suggestions came from one of our very favorite sites, www.somethingaboutsandwiches.com. IT’s the best destination for all things sandwiches.
To expand on the idea of yumminess served up at a winter party, why not pair your toasted cheesers with homemade gourmet cocoa?
Jillee, of www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com, sent out an article a couple years ago about making your own hot cocoa in the slow cooker. Perfect idea, right? You just dump the ingredients in, turn your slow cooker on, and wait a couple of hours, and you’ll have enough deliciously creamy hot chocolate for the whole family.
It’s true, the powdered varieties are fine (especially Stephen’s®, Ghirardelli®, Guittard®, Williams Sonoma®, and Godiva®), but, for a special occasion (such as a Winter Hibernation Party), going the extra mile and making this delicious drink from scratch just seems the right thing to do.
I’ve looked at a lot of recipes, tested a few, and have settled on one that is ultra-rich and decadent. Almost everyone that tried it gave it 5 stars. One reviewer did say it was just too rich (hmmm, can you get too rich?). Since RICH works for me, this is the recipe I’m using. See what you think:
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
6 cups milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups milk chocolate chips OR semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions:
Add Recipe to Cook'n
“Hibernation” because that’s what winter’s all about. It’s the time we snuggle in, slow down, and indulge in all that’s cozy and warm.
It doesn’t have to be anything complicated or extravagant. Just ask your favorite people over for a game night. Or you could make it even simpler and just focus on good conversation and some favorite treats.
It’s the treats angle that I want to focus on. Wouldn’t it be fun to set up a toasted cheese sandwich bar? You could lay out all the makings for gourmet cheesers and guests could build and toast their own. For instance, consider these combinations:
The BLEU CHEESE, FIG, and PROSCIUTTO?
Or BRIE AND CARMELIZED ONION GRILLED CHEESE?
Or the ultimate APPLE AND BACON GRILLED CHEESE?
Or how about the GUACAMOLE GRILLED CHEESE?
The Internet overflows with toasted cheese sandwich ideas. The above suggestions came from one of our very favorite sites, www.somethingaboutsandwiches.com. IT’s the best destination for all things sandwiches.
To expand on the idea of yumminess served up at a winter party, why not pair your toasted cheesers with homemade gourmet cocoa?
Jillee, of www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com, sent out an article a couple years ago about making your own hot cocoa in the slow cooker. Perfect idea, right? You just dump the ingredients in, turn your slow cooker on, and wait a couple of hours, and you’ll have enough deliciously creamy hot chocolate for the whole family.
It’s true, the powdered varieties are fine (especially Stephen’s®, Ghirardelli®, Guittard®, Williams Sonoma®, and Godiva®), but, for a special occasion (such as a Winter Hibernation Party), going the extra mile and making this delicious drink from scratch just seems the right thing to do.
I’ve looked at a lot of recipes, tested a few, and have settled on one that is ultra-rich and decadent. Almost everyone that tried it gave it 5 stars. One reviewer did say it was just too rich (hmmm, can you get too rich?). Since RICH works for me, this is the recipe I’m using. See what you think:
World's Very Best Hot Cocoa
Yield: 12 servings
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
6 cups milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups milk chocolate chips OR semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions:
1. Pour all the ingredients into a slow cooker and whisk together until well combined.
2. Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until mixture is hot and chocolate chips are melted. Whisk well before serving. Garnish as desired*.
NOTES: This can be made with white chocolate, butterscotch, salted caramel, or even mint chocolate chips. Garnishes go well beyond marshmallows: consider roughly chopped malted milk balls, Kit Kat Bars®, crushed peppermint sticks, smashed Rollos®, and so on. You get the idea—let your imagination run wild!
2. Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until mixture is hot and chocolate chips are melted. Whisk well before serving. Garnish as desired*.
NOTES: This can be made with white chocolate, butterscotch, salted caramel, or even mint chocolate chips. Garnishes go well beyond marshmallows: consider roughly chopped malted milk balls, Kit Kat Bars®, crushed peppermint sticks, smashed Rollos®, and so on. You get the idea—let your imagination run wild!
Recipe formatted with the Cook'n Recipe Software from DVO Enterprises.
Alice Osborne
Weekly Newsletter Contributor since 2006
Email the author! alice@dvo.com
