Haute Chocolate

Happy February! It's officially the month of roses, cupids and (my personal favorite)... chocolate. : )

And while you won't see me turn down chocolates in a heart shaped box, I'm more of a haute chocolate girl myself. I like unexpected things, like salted caramels and spicy chocolates. Like the recipe below, for example. Spicy Dark Hot Chocolate from the Ritz Carlton in Buckhead. It's one of their Haute Chocolate Experiences, going on all through the month of February.

There's a candy making class this Saturday, a class on pairing port with chocolate Wednesday night, and a Haute Chocolate Bar available all month long. The bar includes not only the Spicy Dark Hot Chocolate below, but also a Milk Chocolate Caramel. And homemade marshmallows. Ohymyword.  The list goes on and on. Check out their website for details. I can't do it all justice.

In the meantime, you can make their Spicy Dark Hot Chocolate for yourself, courtesy of Pastry Chef Dallas Marsteller. Trust me, it is stellar! (Update: the Marsteller/stellar pun was entirely unintentional. I can't decide if I like it or if I'm a total goober.  Probably the latter. : )

Spicy Dark Hot Chocolate

By Pastry Chef Dallas Marsteller

of the Ritz Carlton, Buckhead

Ingredients

• 8 ounces half and half
• 1 package powdered hot cocoa mix
• 2 ounces chopped dark chocolate, preferably Valrhona brand
•  Cayenne pepper, to taste
•  Rose water, to taste

Directions

1. Combine the cocoa mix, cayenne pepper, and Valrhona chocolate in a bowl and set aside.
2. Heat the half-and-half and rose water in a pan, pour the hot liquid over chocolate mixture and whisk together.
3. Use a hand blender to completely melt/mix the chocolate.
4. Pour in desired cup, garnish with marshmallows, shaved chocolate or whipped cream.

Enjoy!