Peanut Butter Hot Cocoa

As I sit here on this very, very chilly Friday afternoon, the world around me crumbles to pieces.  

It is quiet and peaceful here at my desk.  My latte is steaming, my dishwasher gently humming, and my lamp casts a dim, warmish glow across my workspace.  The coziness is all mine, for the rest of my charming and characteristically quiet city runs about like fretful squirrels axniously preparing for winter. 

Snow has covered this city faithfully for the past several years, but that does not alter the inevitable panic that arises when you tell a state of very content southern-wanna-bes that they must now tuck away their golf clubs and pick up their snow shovels. 

My father has always been somewhat of a daredevil in the eyes of this city, venturing out through the perilous blizzards (about 4 inches of snowfall), to pick up more mittens and canister after canister of cocoa mix. 

You see, we do not drive in snow.  If it is on the road, we are not.  That is just how it is in this fair city and we like it that way. 

I myself am not ambitious to learn the tricks of my father's daring trade, but am more than happy to be a passenger.  Especially if there are sledding hills and warm drinks on the other side. 

This year, however, I am more than content to stay in the warmth of Norwyk Manor (our humble apartment's not-so-humble title), and enjoy the wintery world in all of its snow-covered glory. 

My pantry is stocked with cookie supplies - an obligatory endeavor on snow days - and the refrigerator loaded with whipped cream for the most necessary of snow day treats.

Hot cocoa.  

Even in its simplest form it remains a masterpiece. 

This year, however, I have ignored classicism and taken my chocolate down alternative paths of warm, chocolatey delight.

See Coconut Cream Hot Cocoa. 

So, when the snow warnings arrived this morning, I knew exactly what needed to be done. 

As a child, I claimed to hate peanut butter and chocolate.  Thank goodness I woke up from that nightmare and entered into the land of all that is wonderful. 

Creamy peanut butter is whisked into steaming milk that has been scented with nutmeg. 

Chopped milk chocolate is tossed into the fragrant pot and finished with vanilla extract. 

Of course, cocoa would not be cocoa without whipped cream, and a marshmallow or two wouldn't go amiss. 

It can snow until I run out of chocolate, but then I might need to call in a ride from Dad. 

May your weekend be cozy, and your cocoa rich.  

Sincerely,

Pedantic Foodie

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Peanut Butter Hot Cocoa 

serves 6

- 1 quart whole milk

- 1/2 cup granulated sugar

- 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

- 1 cup creamy peanut butter

- 8.5 ounces milk chocolate, finely chopped

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

- whipped cream, optional, but not really optional at all

In a 3-quart saucepan, combine milk and sugar.  Place over medium heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is steaming. 

Remove from heat and whisk in nutmeg and peanut butter.  If the peanut butter does not appear to be melting, return the pot to the burner and stir over low heat until smooth.  

Stir in chopped chocolate and vanilla extract. 

Serve immediately with whipped cream (1 cup cream whipped with 1/4 cup confectioner’s sugar).  Enjoy!

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Creamy Coconut & Lime Smoothie

Can we just make a smoothie together?

I feel like ninety percent of the vegetables I've eaten in the past month have been roasted to death, covered in cream sauce, or topped with marshmallows.  It's been wonderful - oh so wonderful - but it is time to start putting some nutrients into this body that is trying very hard to dodge the ineluctable winter sickness. 

Now, let's talk about green smoothies for a moment.  I will not drink things that do not taste at least reasonably good because, while I might be able to choke it down once or twice, I know it will soon become a chore that will quickly be forgotten.  Also, if I am going to go to the trouble of cutting up fruit and vegetables, pulling out the blender, and cleaning the blender, I think I should have some kind of reward.  

So, this smoothie.  This smoothie truly tastes really good.  Maybe not as good as a crisp waffle covered in melted butter and a sprinkling of sugar, but it is a genuinely good breakfast.  

It is super refreshing and packed with great fats and proteins so it can actually sustain you until lunchtime. 

The base of this smoothie is coconut cream.  I froze my cream into cubes as to give this smoothie a frosty texture.  For whatever reason, I cannot will myself to drink a room temperature smoothie. Nope, not doing it. 

Besides adding protein, avocado brings a creamy nuttiness to our blended treat. 

Spinach, a twist of fresh lime, tart cranberry juice, and a bit of sugar join the avocado and coconut cream cubes. 

This smoothie is rich, but in a wonderfully energizing and refreshing way.  

Right now it's all about balancing my intake of pistachio gelato with spinach. 

It's good to be back in the game. 

Sincerely, 

Pedantic Foodie

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Coconut Cream & Lime Smoothie

serves 2

- 7 ounces coconut cream (I get mine at Trader Joe's)

- 1/2 ripe avocado 

- 1/2 cup fresh baby spinach (about a handful)

- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

- 1/2 cup sweetened cranberry juice (preferably not from concentrate) 

- 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Pour coconut cream into an ice cube tray and freeze overnight, or until fully set. 

Combine coconut cream cubes, avocado, spinach, lime juice, cranberry juice and sugar in your blender and pulse until very smooth.  Serve immediately.  Enjoy! 

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New Year, New Look

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 

I know I completely ignored the memo about New Year’s recipes and that my silence has been a bit thick lately, but this.  This is why.  Take a look around, a gander (I hate that word so much), if you will. 

This space, this cozy corner of the internet that I pretty much live in, and you so kindly visit, has just gone through a makeover and I am pretty excited about it.  

This redesign has been a long time in the making.  I began the process about two months before my wedding, which seemed like a really good idea at the time.  HA!  

Ever since Mr. Pedantic and I returned from our honeymoon, life has felt like we are running a never-ending marathon, but now that the holidays are behind us and a clean slate before us, I have great hope that I can finally figure out a more definite and realistic routine.  

The past year was a wonderful one - the best of my life.  When I realized it was nearing its end I began to panic.  In many ways, I am not sure what this new year will hold, but now that we have come face-to-face I’m excited.  There are many lessons to learn, much work to be done, and great fun to be had.  I cannot wait. 

Thank you for making 2016 such a joy.  It was the first year that I could really consider this pursuit that I love so much a true profession, and I am immensely grateful to each one of you and to the sponsors I had the joy of working alongside. 

Here I am, back in the game.  Let’s go!

Sincerely, 

Pedantic Foodie