Snow days and a Marshmallow Mustache!

While sitting and watching the snow silently fall early yesterday morning, I could not help but think back to a time when I was little girl.  At first flake, we hoped and prayed that the snow would pile up so high, that of course, school would be cancelled the next morning.  Snow days were special, like a vacation in winter.

 We’d head outside to shovel the driveway first.  Afterwards, it was play time.  Angels in the snow, building forts and snowmen followed by snowball fights with the neighbors.

By the time our hands and feet were frozen, we knew it was time to come inside to warm up.  Waiting for us was always a steaming mug of delicious hot chocolate, with puffy white marshmallows bobbing up and down.  What a perfect treat to warm us inside out out.

I still prefer to make my own hot chocolate stirring 2 tablespoons of Hershey’s Syrup into an 8 oz. mugful of simmering milk.  While whole milk makes for a rich and thick brew, 1% or preferably 2% works well too.  I don’t recommend skim milk because it’ makes the hot chocolate too watery.  Make sure that you stir the milk long enough for the chocolate to be incorporated.  Add three to four marshmallows to top it off and savor slowly.

If you prefer European hot chocolate, which is generally much thicker in consistency and made with pure cocao, not powder, try Mariebelle on Broome Street in New York City.  Mariebelle offers four flavors of luscious ”Aztec” hot chocolate; original, spicy, mocha and dark.   You can visit the store which has a cafe where you can sit and sip.  Or you can order on line at www.mariebelle.com.

I don’t know if we will actually get enough snow to keep us inside these last few weeks of winter, but good hot chocolate any time is worth the marshmallow mustache.