Spiced hot cocoa

Enjoy chocolate in a different avatar with this sinfully rich cocoa drink.  Flavoured with exotic spices, a cup of hot chocolate is perfect for a cold, rainy day.

Ingredients
120 gm unsweetened cocoa powder
80 gm dark chocolate slab
150 gm brown sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
2 pods cardamom
4 cloves
650 ml warm milk
150 ml hot water
½ vanilla pod or 1 tsp vanilla extract

Serves Four

Method
In a saucepan, combine the unsweetened cocoa, dark chocolate, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg and vanilla pod.  Blend the hot water into the mixture and bring to a boil.  Stir continuously for four minutes and add milk.  Serve hot.

Source MOHIT BALACHANDRAN - Asian Age Sep 2007