As I really get into the swing of December and the holidays and the next month, I’m heading back to my blogger roots and showcasing a few traditional holidays eats from around the globe, starting with this Peruvian hot chocolate. After all, no matter where you live, it’s pretty hard to escape the sense of merriment and peace that inevitable comes with this time of year, and the goodwill among men that seems forgotten for the other 11 months seems to be at the year’s high each holiday.

I’m kicking off with a holiday food that really is a food for all seasons: Peruvian hot chocolate. I’ve made a few versions so far, and it’s a wonder, but each one seems to be a little different, and Peru’s version stands on its own. While hot chocolate doesn’t seem to be particularly holiday-centric in our parts, in Peru, despite the fact that it’s the middle of summer there, it’s sort of a big deal. According to numerous sources on the webs, natives all over the country gather for “chocolatadas,” get-togethers of sorts where hot chocolate and a sort of bread or other nibbles are served to celebrate the season.

When I was in Peru almost 7 years ago, my friends and I took a chocolate making class where we learned a bit out Peruvian chocolate, the traditions around making it (and drinking it) and different techniques and flavors for how it was prepared. When looking for a ‘traditional’ recipe for Peru’s Christmas hot chocolate, there were numerous versions and so, per usual, I pulled them all together to make my own, and it’s pretty spice-tacular!

Given my Peruvian chocolate making experience, I wasn’t surprised to find many recipes included some combination of the following spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and chili powder. I kept it simple with cinnamon and a very small dash of ground cloves, which gives it a heat essence akin to chili powder. Made with a base of bittersweet chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and water, this recipe isn’t overly sweet, but it is quite rich.

In other words, perfect for the season, whatever the temperature!

Peruvian Hot Chocolate

December 10, 2018

Servings: 4

Total: 20 min

Difficulty: Easy

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Peruvian hot chocolate is a decadent twist on this cold-weather treat: sweetened condensed milk, cinnamon and cloves give it a definitely something extra.

By: Chrissy

Ingredients

1 cup water
1 2” cinnamon stick
1 cup evaporated 2% milk
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
2 cups 2% milk
50 grams bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup dark cocoa powder
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1 TB cornstarch
2 TB 2% milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
whipped cream, to serve

Directions

Step 1 In a medium saucepan, heat the water and cinnamon stick. Let boil 5 minutes. Add the milks and bring to a simmer.
Step 2 In a separate bowl, add the chopped chocolate, cloves and cocoa powder. Once the milk mixture is all heated through, add just enough to the chopped chocolate mixture to melt the chocolate and combine the cocoa powder, stirring constantly until the mixture is smooth.
Step 3 Add the chocolate mixture to the remaining milk mixture on the stove to a simmer. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and remaining 2 TB milk into a slurry. Add to the simmering chocolate mixture and let thicken as desired. Remove from the heat, add the vanilla extract and serve in individual mugs topped with whipped cream.
Step 4 Adapted: https://www.livinginperu.com/peruvian-hot-chocolate-recipe-104746/