Because our weather yesterday afternoon was perfect for drinking hot chocolate, I indulged in an adult version of the favorite childhood treat – a decadently rich, dark version of hot chocolate, with allspice, orange peel, vanilla, and a hint of black pepper.
I’m not sure if I left out a half-cup of liquid, but it came out a little too thick – like drinking molten chocolate – so I thinned it with some boiling water. Later on, in the evening, I indulged in a second mug – this time with the optional shot of spiced rum suggested in the recipe’s variations.
The recipe for The Duke’s Hot Chocolate is available online here, and comes from The Splendid Table, a weekly podcast by Lynne Rossetto Kasper. Lynne knows everything about cooking, but her specialty is Italian food, and the duke for whom this hot chocolate was created in 1632 was Bolognese. The duke apparently knew a good thing when he tasted it.
In addition to her fun and informative Splendid Table podcast and Web site, you can cook with Lynne’s guidance every step of the way with her three print cookbooks and four e-cookbooks.
These are the ones I own. Click on the images for more info:
E-Books, $3.99 each:
And because I know some of you are going to be more curious about my pretty, tasseled bookmark than about the hot chocolate…
Happy Weekend Cooking!
Linked to Weekend Cooking, a weekly feature on Beth Fish Reads. Click/tap image for Weekend Cooking posts from other bloggers.
I love listening to THE SPLENDID TABLE, a great show for us foodies. The main recipe and its variations all look so good. I think I like the idea of a shot of rum on a snowy evening. Perfect accompaniment to a good book.
I’ve gotten behind on listening since I lost my iPod. Have finally set up my phone to listen that way. I have missed Lynne’s smiling voice!
I have been so into hot chocolate this year–the richer (and more spiked) the better! 😉 I think I am missing out by never having listed to the podcasts. (Love the bookmark too!)
Aloha, Deb from Kahakai Kitchen
I want that bookmark, and the cup of cocoa – with rum, of course. Have never even heard of that podcast (not that I listen to podcasts) but did book mark the site.
You definitely should try this recipe, then! (I knew that bookmark would be a hit!)
The Splendid Table is about cooking, but also about anything and everything to do with eating. Lynne and her crew talk with chefs, with Jane and Michael Stern of RoadFood, with experts in wine, craft beer, spices, and all sorts of other interesting people, too. Give the podcast a try!
I haven’t listened to the podcasts before, but will start now that I know about it. That recipe looks really good. I haven’t had hot chocolate in a long time.
The big book of Splendid Table Emilia Romana cooking has been on my shelf for a long time, but the recipes are too complex, so I’ve only read them, not cooked them. These books sound more accessible. And Ferrante is on my list to read SOON. Thanks for commenting on my blog… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
That seems more like a meal than a drink!
I like the eBook cookbooks since I can prop them on the counter. Very handy. That photo of the snow on the branches made me shiver! And here I am complaining the chard and lettuce I planted may need to be covered – yikes!
Thanks for the Intel on the cookbooks, yummy hot chocolate!
I literally drooled when I saw the hot chocolate’s picture. 🙂 I hope you had a great day.
I actually couldn’t quite finish the afternoon hot chocolate, it was so filling!
Our garden chard lasted well into January this year, but it’s long dead now!
Thanks! You too!
Mmmm, yes definitely hot chocolate weather. Have never tried black pepper in my hot chocolate. Will have to try this recipe. Love the bookmark!!
Gorgeous snow pic…and the hot chocolate looks delicious!
Thanks for stopping by my blog (Mardi Gras food) & letting me know the recipe links weren’t working – I fixed them! We’re eating leftovers for lunch right now!
Sue
Book By Book
Thanks! I’ll go back and check out the jambalaya recipe link!
I was intrigued by your hot chocolate w/ rum comment at Carole Knits, and you are kind enough to oblige by having the recipe all ready for me! I am going to have a great time looking through all your book recs. while enjoying a mug of The Duke’s Hot Chocolate. Thank you!
Thanks for visiting AND commenting, Bonny! We’ve got a nor’easter just starting up here, so I’m glad to have some leftover hot chocolate to heat up later on! (As long as we have electricity!)
This hot chocolate recipe sounds amazing. I always have a hard time deciding if I want wine or something warm to relax with in the evening. I’m going to have to try this. I have a Elena Ferrante book, but it somehow got pushed to the bottom of my pile apparently. Your photo reminded me of it. I also LOVE the bookmark, Isn’t that the truth!!
Now I want hot chocolate with rum. The recipe books sound great. Thanks for sharing and of course I love your book mark 🙂
I had another mug of it yesterday, because we had ANOTHER snow day! Thanks for stopping by!
The wine is fewer calories, that’s for sure! I like Story of a New Name, but I’ve been reading too many other books at the same time, and need to sit down and finish it. It was my first book of the new year!
That hot chocolate sounds absolutely divine! Oh and the bookmark is awesome too 😉