White Hot Chocolate with Ginger

I know that in other parts of the country it’s been snowing since October, but this is FINALLY the first week in LA that I decidedly cannot wear flip flops. I guess winter has officially arrived. Therefore, it’s also the first week that warm beverages have actually seemed appealing to me. I normally stick to iced drinks, but on a day that’s cold and rainy and leaves a thin layer of ice on my car, all I can think about is going back inside and drinking a steaming mug of hot chocolate.

Years ago when I was in high school my friends and I used to get together on a Friday nights and cook extravagant 4-course meals instead of spending our money on over-priced burgers at a restaurant. On one such night we made white-hot chocolate with ginger, and I haven’t ever forgotten it. This drink is rich and creamy with some spice to it; it’s the perfect dessert drink to warm you up on a cold winter night.

I would like to emphasize that this beverage can stand alone as an after dinner dessert. If you make plans to drink a mug of this AND have a piece of cake, it’s probably going to be months before you come out of the sugar coma that’s sure to be induced.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you…

White Hot Chocolate with Ginger

Adapted from Cooking Light

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This recipe works well with any milk that you prefer to use; I used soy milk and it turned out great. I implore you to not skimp on the quality of chocolate chips you buy (I used Ghiradelli), it will make a big difference in the final result.

Serves 4

1/3  cup  chopped peeled fresh ginger
1/4  cup  sugar
1/8  cup  water
4  cups  milk
3/4  cup premium white chocolate chips

Combine first 3 ingredients in a large saucepan; cook over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves and mixture is golden (about 5 minutes), stirring frequently. Remove from heat and strain through a sieve to remove chunks of ginger. Return liquid to the saucepan.

Add milk and chocolate, stirring constantly with a whisk. Heat over medium-low heat until bubbles form around edge of pan, stirring frequently (do not boil). Once the chocolate is melted and the mixture is heated through, ladle into mugs and get really comfy on a couch, cause you’re not going anywhere for a while.

Tagged as: Ginger, White Chocolate