Cooking

Warming up from the inside

The brief January thaw we recently experienced quickly changed into one of the coldest spells so far this winter. Add the cruel wind and going outside for any reason is a good reason to shiver. Bone-chilling cold is all I can think of to call it.

It’s at such times that hot food, in whatever form, is important to heat up our insides. Soups and stews are crucial parts of our diets during the winter, of course, but hot beverages can also make us feel more comfortable.

We’re all familiar with the soothing, smooth, sweet flavor of hot chocolate, but there are so many others. Most contain lots of nutrients for that small child who just came in from playing in the snow, or the rest of us who also need food that is good for us.

I always keep packets of hot chocolate mix on hand during the winter, right beside my tea bags and ground coffee, but for a really special treat, making hot chocolate from scratch is the best and not all that difficult to prepare. I generally keep a container of homemade hot chocolate mix available, as well as the store-bought kind.

To make one cup of hot chocolate, place 1 heaping teaspoon baking cocoa in a small saucepan with 1 tablespoon milk, a dash of salt, 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, and stir until well combined. Turn on low-medium heat, then stir in 1 cup low- or no-fat milk and one-quarter teaspoon vanilla extract. If a mocha flavored hot drink is wanted, this is the time to stir in about a teaspoon of instant coffee. Serve in a warmed mug.

Other warm drinks also heat up the inside. The next three add vitamin C, an important vitamin to ward off colds. Stir all hot drinks while heating on low.

Hot Apple Cider (per serving)

1 cup apple cider

one-quarter cup orange juice

1 cinnamon stick of one-eighth teaspoon cinnamon

Raspberry Mulled Cider (2 servings)

2 cups apple cider or apple juice

one-quarter cup seedless raspberry jam

1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Warmed Cranberry Punch (2 or 3 servings)

2 cups cranberry juice or juice cocktail

half a small can of frozen orange juice concentrate

half a small can of frozen lemonade

1 cup water

2 cinnamon sticks

one-quarter cup sugar (optional)

While warm milk is a traditional drink for when we aren’t feeling well, at least it was when I was kid decades ago, milk can be “spiced” up as in the next four hot drink recipes. Whenever you are working with milk, always constantly stir the mixture as you are heating it in a saucepan to prevent burning.

Spiced Milk (1 serving)

1 cup low- or no-fat milk

one-quarter teaspoon cinnamon

one-quarter teaspoon nutmeg

one-half teaspoon vanilla

Maple Milk (1 serving)

1 cup low- or no-fat milk

1 tablespoon real maple syrup

This is one of my favorites since I’m a lover of maple syrup!

Vanilla Milk (1 serving)

1 cup low- or no-fat milk

one-quarter teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon sugar

Warmed Almond Eggnog (4 or 5 servings)

1 quart low-fat eggnog

1 cup low- or no-fat milk

1 tablespoon almond extract

If we can’t enjoy the cold, then we can surely enjoy the hot drinks that are served when we get back inside!

I may be reached at petsplants@midmaine.com.