Love hot chocolate but sometimes get stricken with the post-hot chocolate stomach ick from drinking too much warm milk? This recipe is for you!
This no-regrets formula also uses REAL and RAW ingredients for optimum nutrition benefits, plus the combination of cacao and peppermint makes this a cosy evening wind-down beverage that may even help you achieve a better night's sleep! It's delicious, it's good for you, AND it's ready in less than 10 minutes.
Watch the video to learn the benefits of cacao and peppermint for sleep, and enjoy the full written recipe below.
If you are interested in learning more about how to live a vital life with a Food As Medicine Mindset, be sure to subscribe to my Youtube channel!
► RECIPE ◄
INGREDIENTS
◊ 1 heaped teaspoon raw, unsweetened cacao powder
◊ Natural sweetener of choice (green leaf stevia powder, maple syrup, agave nectar, etc)
◊ Loose leaf peppermint OR a peppermint tea bag
◊ Milk of choice (I used oat milk in the video)
TOOLS
◊ A tea ball infuser (if using loose leaf peppermint)
◊ Your favourite drinking mug
◊ An additional mug or microwave safe vessel
◊ Teaspoon or tiny whisk for stirring
◊ A Saucer/plate/lid-type object for covering the infusion
◊ Kettle
◊ Microwave or stovetop for heating milk
METHOD
◊ Step 1. Into your drinking mug place 1 heaped teaspoon of raw cacao powder, or to taste.
◊ Step 2. Add in your natural sweetener of choice. If using green leaf stevia powder, start with a small pinch and adjust to taste once the beverage is ready as green leaf stevia is POWERFULLY sweet.
► NOTE: Sweetener is necessary for this recipe as raw cacao powder is naturally very bitter.
◊ Step 3. Generously pack your tea ball infuser with loose leaf whole peppermint leaves, or around 1 heaped teaspoon of cut and dried peppermint. Place in your mug. If using a peppermint teabag, place in your mug.
◊ Step 4. Boil your kettle and pour over enough hot water to cover your tea ball or tea bag. Aim for half way up your mug.
◊ Step 5. IMMEDIATELY cover the mug with a saucer, plate or lid to stop the volatile oils of the peppermint evaporating with the steam.
◊ Step 6. Check your watch or set your timer to infuse the peppermint for 5 minutes.
◊ Step 7. In the meantime, pour your milk of choice into a microwave safe mug until you reach halfway up the mug. If using the stovetop, measure the milk in your mug and then pour into your saucepan.
◊ Step 8. Once peppermint has been infusing for 4 minutes, heat milk in the microwave for 1 minute or until nice and hot (do not boil). Likewise if using a stovetop.
◊ Step 9. Take the saucer or plate off your mug, take out the tea ball or tea bag (give the tea bag a good squeeze to get out all that goodness!) and immediately briskly stir the cacao/peppermint mixture to smooth out any lumps of cacao. If you have one of those tiny kitchen whisks, that works perfectly here!
◊ Step 10. Pour the hot milk into your drinking mug, stir again, adjust sweetener to taste, and ENJOY!
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