It’s bitterly cold and windy in Brooklyn tonight. A little while ago, I ventured out into the snow and wind to pick up dinner from the Egyptian cafe around the corner. (I couldn’t resist the siren call of my favorite lentil soup and fresh-from-the-oven pita bread.) When I got back home, I needed something that would help me warm up quickly, so I decided to make a big mug of hot chocolate. It really hit the spot, warming up both my hands and belly in a few minutes flat. So, in celebration of hot, chocolaty goodness, here’s a reminder of how simple it is to make hot chocolate:

Stove-Top Hot Chocolate
* Find your favorite mug and fill it with your milk of choice (I prefer soy milk)
* Pour the soy milk into a small saucepan
* Add several liberal tablespoons, to taste, of both cocoa powder and granulated sugar
* While stirring, heat until just short of boiling
* Pour hot chocolate into your mug
* Add marshmallows or whipped cream if you’d like (I like Soy Whip and Sweet and Sara vegan marshmallows)
* Enjoy

Warm and full, I’m spending the rest of the evening parked on the couch, hanging out with the husband, and watching some TED talks. I finished an apron embroidery project today, and am trying to decide between starting a skirt or learning how to make a button-down shirt. I think I’ll relax tonight and decide tomorrow.

(Kitty Apron!)