Mayan Hot Cocoa

Ingredients

• 4 cups milk
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder (I used the Dutch brand, Droste)
• 1 teaspoon flour or Wondra Flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 3 whole cloves, crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon chili pepper, crushed
• 1 cinnamon stick, broken up
• 2 teaspoons powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional) or Wondra Flour (dissolved in 1 tablespoon of water) (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   Sift the cocoa powder and flour.

2. 2

   Measure out 4 cups of milk. From the 4 cups of milk, slowly whisk about 1/4 cup of it, a little more if necessary, into the cocoa/flour mix until it becomes a paste. If you add milk too fast, you get clumpy cocoa. If that happens, use a hand blender to smooth it out.

3. 3

   When all the cocoa and flour are a paste (no more dry flour,) add the remaining spices (sugar, nutmeg, cloves, peppers, and cinnamon).

4. 4

   Heat the rest of the 4 cups of milk in a double-boiler or a saucepan over medium.

5. 5

   Add the cocoa/flour/spices mix to the hot milk in the double-boiler. Stir constantly to keep it from burning.

6. 6

   If you prefer a slightly thicker drink, you can add the optional cornstarch/water mixture now. Continue stirring on the heat until it's to your desired thickness. Not too long; you don't want to be forced to use a knife and fork. ;D.

7. 7

   When the cocoa is ready (it takes about 10-15 minutes until the flavor and heat level are *just right*), strain the cocoa in a fine sieve to remove the cloves and cinnamon pieces. (Careful, it could splatter - I found out last night. *grrr*) Then add the powdered sugar and vanilla and stir.

8. 8

   If you like, you can put whipped cream on top, add small marshmallows, or add a stick of cinnamon for stirring.