Secular Charlotte Mason

Out of desperation for some yummy hot chocolate last night I improvised this recipe. Drakon declared it "brilliant" and suggested that I post it for others to see. To begin with you must understand that we most definitely do not like the Gheridelli's hot chocloate mix that we bought on the road so this is an attempt to make it palatable. I would recommend using a richer hot chocolate mix as your base and lessen the milk accordingly.

3 cups hot water

1/4 to 1/2 cup hot chocolate mix (or to taste)

a generous half TBLS of honey (I only had fireweed flavored on hand, I recommend plain clover honey)

1/4 cup milk (or less if your chocolate mix is good quality)

1 TBLS peanut butter

Make it just like regular hot chocolate and then add in the honey and milk. Then take a small bowl or cup and put the peanut butter in that. Now add a TBLS or so of the liquid hot chocolate to the peanut butter and mix until smooth. Then add another TBLS of the hot chocolate and mix until the mixture is liquid enough to pour into the already made hot chocolate (much like how you add cornstarch to gravies or herbs to soap). Mixing a small amount of the liquid hot chocolate into the peanut butter separately helps keep the peanut butter from "cooking" and getting lumpy.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And since we are talking about food I just have to say that Bassman and I had the best, very basic, salad last night. The KOA we are staying at let us pick fresh veggies from their overly large garden. All we did was cut up some awesome tomatoes and a cucumber. Add a splash of vinegar and a dash or two of salt and pepper. Yum. A definitely treat from our usual canned on-the-road fare. Went great with the hamburgers lol.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My aunt told me how to make this minty hot chocolate.  It is based on a product they use to sell in their store.

1. Take whatever hot chocolate you usually use and make one serving.

2. Take 2-3 round after dinner mints (peppermint flavored but not candy canes) and crush them. This works best if you leave them in the wrapper while crushing, otherwise you will have sticky candy everywhere.

3. Add the crushed peppermint the the very hot chocolate and stir until the candies are melted.

4. Enjoy. Perfect for winter! (and adults could add some schnapps if they wanted a special treat).