spiced hot chocolate.

Today's recipe is so incredibly simple, I almost didn't post it. It doesn't require tons of prep work, it doesn't even really require measuring cups or spoons (although I did write exact measurements below), and it was lovingly dreamt up on my drive home from work when all I wanted was something sweet with a bit of dimension. Actually, it's these kinds of recipes that are my most favorite because they're easy. The result is ready in mere minutes, which means enjoyment can take place that much sooner.

This recipe calls for conventional chocolate chips (the horror!) and half and half, which comes from cow's milk (gasp!). Truthfully, it has no health benefits. It's not really good for you. In fact, it's probably bad for you! However, it does boast something quite special, and it's this: it's good for the soul. I think it's perfectly okay to consume both dairy and conventional sugar in humble amounts, especially when they're tucked into a simple hot chocolate that creates quite stellar results. Enjoy!

(As a quick note, I have not always been a hot chocolate lover [?!]. As a kid, I didn't even really care for chocolate [?!?!!!?]. Therefore, this is quite a small serving because that's how I like it. Feel free to increase certain ingredient measurements to suit your personal preferences.)

S P I C E D  H O T  C H O C O L A T E
Serves 1

Ingredients
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon cardamom*
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup chocolate chips
3 tablespoons half and half
1/2 cup coconut milk

* If you do not like the flavor of cardamom, I would recommend leaving it out completely. It's notorious for taking over, which I love, but you might not.

Directions
1. Place half and half and coconut milk in a small sauce pan over medium low heat. As it warms, slowly add the vanilla, ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon. Whisk well so that spices combine.
2. Add half the chocolate chips into the sauce pan and stir gently until all chips have melted. Then, add the remaining chocolate chips and continue to stir until all chips have melted.