Les Bonnes Choses

Asher is always interested in what Jude is doing. His box of toys can be dumped all over the floor, but if Jude is nearby playing with something else, Asher wants in on it. I don't know if this makes me a bad parent, but I deliberately let Asher get into Jude's stuff because Jude invariably yells out, "not for baby!" to which Asher responds by yelling back. The sound of those two yelling at each other amuses the hell out of me.

We all went out as a family this afternoon to check out a tree stump in the park behind the house. The tree was removed earlier this week, and must have been dead because it had a hollow inside it large enough for me to stand in. Afterwards, we came inside for hot chocolate. Here's a recipe, originally from the London Free Press. I balked when Rebecca made it because it's probably about 1200 calories per serving. But damn, it's good. I have taken the liberty of making it my own. See if you can find my embellishments.

Ridiculously Decadent Hot Chocolate

• 1 cup milk


• 1/2 cup heavy cream


• 1 soft banana


• Pinch cinnamon


• Pinch cayenne pepper


• Pinch salt


• 3 oz. (90g) semisweet chocolate, finely chopped


• 3 oz. (90g) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped


• 1/2 cup melted marshmallows or marshmallow spread

1. In a blender, combine milk, cream, banana, cinnamon, cayenne and salt. Puree until very smooth and thick. Pour mixture into your All-Clad saucepan and set over medium heat.


2. Warm mixture, whisking constantly until it comes just barely to a simmer. Add chopped chocolate and marshmallow and whisk until completely melted.


3. Ladle into espresso cups. If you are trying to make the next highest weight category for an upcoming UFC title match, you may top with whipped cream.


4. You can drink it as the thickest, richest hot chocolate you will ever drink, or cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to make a mousse-like dessert. Just don't eat it for breakfast, because a diabetic coma is not a good way to start your day.