Candy's favourite hot chocolate recipe

With thanks to Nigella Lawson for the inspiration

This takes only five minutes to make. It is the ultimate feel-good drink on a cold winter's day (or any other cold time of the year).

Ingredients

• 6 pieces from a bar of Green and Black's 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate
• A mug full of milk
• A stick of cinnamon

Equipment

• A microwave
• A mug
• A heatproof jug or bowl
• A small fork
• A fine grater for the cinnamon
• A very small hand whisk (a fork will do, if nothing else is available)

Place the chocolate in the jug and heat for 2 minutes in the microwave on full power. You will probably find the chocolate has not quite melted - the heat of the jug will finish the process while you heat the milk.

Place the milk in the mug and heat on full power for two minutes.

While the milk heats, stir the chocolate in the warm jug until melted.

Grate a sprinkling of the cinnamon into the chocolate.

When the milk is heated take it out of the microwave. Use a fork to remove any skin which has formed. Tip the hot milk into the jug containing the melted chocolate and grated cinnamon.

Whisk energetically (that helps to warm you up too!)

Sit down and drink it in peace and quiet. Don't take it back to your desk or do anything else while you drink it. This hot choc deserves your full attention and enjoyment.

Variation

Substitute Green and Black's Maya Gold for 2 or 3 of the squares of chocolate. This gives a much sweeter hot chocolate with a lovely orange taste.

I may just have to go and make another one to make up my mind which I prefer. Then I will get back to writing the exciting new Midas courses we are telling you about in our newsletter.

Candy