Sweet Dreams...

I think it is amazing how dreams can impact your entire day. Last night, I had a horrible dream. I woke up, confused and jolted, wondering if I really had been dreaming or if my life had been turned upside down. It's funny that even when I realized it was, in fact, a dream, I could not shake the unsettling feeling. It was like a bad aftertaste that you can't seem to cover up, even though the food has long been swallowed. To me, there is only one solution to this sometimes scary and empty feeling...ok, there are two solutions...a big hug from my husband and hot chocolate!

For some reason, there is nothing more comforting than a deliciously rich, steaming mug of hot chocolate. Something about it feels like a big fluffly blanket wrapped around my shoulders while big soft snow flakes gently fall from the sky. Unfortunately, in Tokyo, the snowflakes are a dream in and of themselves. Still, hot chocolate helps me to imagine, or dream, that they are there.

Below is my favorite recipe for hot chocolate. I like mine with a little spice, so I add a small amount of cayenne pepper. You could substitute cinnamon for the cayenne if you are not a fan of the heat.

Spicy Hot Chocolate

Makes 1 serving:

1 cup of milk (1% is preferable)

1/4 cup cocoa powder (or to taste)

1/4 cup of sugar (or to taste)

1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

Heat the milk in a heavy pan over low heat until it is warm but not boiling. Whisk in the cocoa powder and sugar until combined and free of lumps. Add the cayenne pepper and heat for 30 seconds, being very careful not to scorch the milk. Pour the hot chocolate into a mug and top with fresh whipped cream, if desired.

Dreaminess in a cup- yummmm!