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Try Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate For Dessert

By Paul Murphy


When it comes to planning a small gathering of friends or coworkers, food and entertainment tend to be the wow factor. Depending on the guests, this need not be fancy or expensive but often the unique factor can make any event stand apart. New culinary delights, like salted caramel hot chocolate or avocado toast, are sure to be a hit with some.

This is not to be confused with something that tastes sugary or leaves a slight aftertaste. Rich cocoa powder and real buttery caramel blend together to make a slightly denser version of this childhood favorite. The great news is there are some fantastic recipes that are made for discriminating tastes. No more waiting in long lines at the coffee shop or trendy restaurant.

This is not like any hot drink that happens to be sweet. Most hot chocolate lovers prefer this because the recipe is not intended to be sweet but offer a contrast of flavors and textures. One thing that many agree on is that it is not like the hot beverage they had as a kid. Since this recipe is not as sweet, it may also be a good drink to have before going to bed at night.

Although salted caramel seems to be the dessert trend that will not go away, it is for good reason. The slight hint of sea salt lends itself well to the rich chocolate flavor. While some may think this is an overkill of sugar, most recipes call for dark chocolate instead of the milk version, which is mostly used to make candy.

Anyone who does not care about cutting calories may wonder about which finger foods may complement this beverage. Small but mildly spiced hard baked goods are a good choice. Imported almond biscotti, shortbread, or speculoos cookies are perfect companions since these are not overly sweet and have enough flavor to complement this type of hot chocolate.

Cauliflower is another vegetable that is becoming popular. It is used to make rice dishes, used in pizza dough, and is a vegetarian alternative to buffalo wings. The latter recipe calls for florets that have been lightly fried or oven roasted before covering in buffalo sauce. Most who have tried this say the slightly bitter texture is nowhere to be found and is great for everyday snacking.

Preparing most of these dishes is fairly easy for those who like to hang out in the kitchen. While some like to make their hot chocolate from scratch, there are some kits that offer that same restaurant quality. The only thing that users should note is if they select another type of milk other than what is indicated. Nut or plant beverages do not always retain their texture in the heat.

For some, this is enough but for those making a presentation at a gathering, garnishments give it real visual appeal. Try a dollop of whipped cream with cinnamon sprinkles or chocolate shavings. Once newbies get a taste of this somewhat addictive beverage, they may never want to put it down.




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