We used to think our cat was a male. We were told by the people we got her from that she was a boy and naively didn't think to check. Needless to say we felt like prize idiots when the vet informed us that she was a girl as only females are born with her specific colouring. Right then.
But I'd like to think we would've figured out her x-chromosome abundance quite soon if we just paid a bit more attention. For example, she likes all things sweet - chocolate, condensed milk, icing, cookies, etc. Everyone knows females invented sweets. Also, her favourite drinks are water (healthy choice) and tomato juice (I dare you to find me a man who likes tomato juice). And, most importantly, she does not like it when a new
Unfortunately for little JD, the new female (in the guise of new cat-sister Ellie) is here to stay. No matter how much she hisses or growls** at the newcomer. Fortunately though, TheHusband has a big enough heart to dole out love to all the important females in his life. And of course, there's always chocolate. Chocolate is, after all, a girl's best friend. Poor Marilyn Monroe didn't know what she was talking about.
JD (and me) loves chocolate on most days, but this particular version is best suited to special occasions. A little hint of the exotic with a touch of "ooooh, what is that?" from the cardamom will ensure that you walk away satisfied. And trust me, more chocolaty than this you won't easily find. Rich and decadent, this one is only for serious chocolate fans. Cat-approved.
* You probably know him better as TheHusband
** Hands up who's ever heard a cat growl? Freaky stuff.
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Mumbai Hot Chocolate
Adapted from Feast Bazaar
Serves 4 - 6
200g milk chocolate, broken into pieces
200ml cream
200ml full cream milk
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
15 cardamom pods, husks removed & ground
chili flakes, to serve
1. Combine all the ingredients, except for the chili flakes in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
2. Stir until chocolate has melted and mixture looks smooth. Ensure that all the cocoa powder has been mixed in, using a whisk if necessary to remove any lumps.
3. Pour into small cups and sprinkle with chilli flakes before serving.
This Mumbai chocolate drink can be served both hot (as I did) or chilled, as a type of milkshake. I would recommend whisking in extra milk if serving it chilled, as it thickens considerably when cooling down.
28 comments:
I love seeing the melted chocolate on the cups in the second picture.
Melted chocolate drink nice one. i need to check with hubby who is from mumbai about this dish. Looks great.
What would we do without our crazy cats? :D
This hot chocolate looks soo good, it almost makes me wish it were cold enough to make...almost.
On a side note, where did you learn about food photography? I feel like it's always a gamble with my point and shoot. :0
My Max kitty is a crotchety old man (he's 12), and yup, he growls, snarls and hisses at the dog, all while waddling his overweight butt after her just because she deigned to get too close.
That chocolate sounds divine. I need to make some now. Heh.
That is how hot chocolate shoul dlook. Dark, intense en slightly thickish!!! Man, I am amaking this soon!!
Ooh what's not to love about those sweet cups! Love the dribble down the side. Nothing in life that chocolate can't fix, so what if the poor cat ain't what we thought she was! Great recipe!!
oh wow! this is full of incredible flavors!
Wow! This looks delicious - and as always, amazing photos Marisa!
Indonesia Eats - Looks good enough to eat, right?
Swathi - Would be very interested to know what hubby says! Am actually not sure if this really orginates from Mumbai, this is what it was called in Feast Bazaar. The spices certainly suggest an Indian influence of sorts though.
Valerie - Love my cats! Sent you an email.
Wolf - Your Max sounds like a kitty one shouldn't mess with! Very cute.
Nina - This thickens up even more in the fridge, so it's delicious for eating with a spoon the next morning. Not that I *ahem* did that...
Deeba - Agreed! Chocolate has definitely been a cure-all for me. :-)
MeetaK - So honoured to have you on my blog! Squeeeee. Glad you like it.
The Chef-ette - Why thank you! *curtsy*
Oh look! Heaven in a Mug!
I must go in search of cardamom pods. I have the ground stuff, but it's just not *quite* the same.
Wonderful recipe....perfect for this sudden cold snap!
sounds like something I could do with right now! thankfully you did not find out your baby was female with a litter :)
Cestlavietlb - The flavour would prob be the same, but I just love the pretty green of the pods. :-)
Tandy - Yah, that would've been a surprise!
OMG, how much I would love to have one hot cup of this chocolate now! Cardamom & cinnamon give a lovely flavour, the idea of adding chili flakes is brilliant!
Marissa, I asked him about this drink, he told, he had no idea of drinking anything like this, but he told it sounds goods.
Regarding kofta you can substituted with Zucchini or any other summer quash. Hope this helps
I'm so amused at your first paragraph...haha :D Love our chocolate drink....that's seriously chocolaty! I'll be in chocolate heaven in an instant...haha. Thanks very much for sharing.
Sweet Artichoke - The chilli adds a lovely bite to this. :-)
Swathi - Ah, thought it would be too good to be true. Thanks for the reply re the kofta.
MaryMoh - Yes, poor cat! She's also stuck with a boy's name now. Oh well...
Wow that's so rich! Looks fantastic!
Oh yes our female cat growls at the boys (cats) when they get in her way. She is definitely a cat that walks by herself. Luckily she doesn't like chocolate - I'd have a problem sharing with her!
This looks wonderful - love the idea of cardomom in chocolate.
Now I have a problem. I love all things sweet and I love tomato juice. I really thought I was a male ;-) This hot chocolate looks tremendous. The photos are, as always, very good as well.
Life is so full of surprises.....
Love the pictures, chocolate and your space :)
Cheers,
The Variable, Crazy Over Desserts - Nachiketa
Catch me on facebook @ Crazy Over Desserts
I love that your cat likes condensed milk, and yes, I've heard a cat growl. Crazy! This recipe looks wonderful and I will be making it up as autumn and winter approach here. Beautiful photos!
LOL @ your cat story... as for your chocolate: beautiFULL!
Marisa, I'm in love with your blog! Everything here is so beautiful! And that hot chocolate... Sinfully dark and creamy, yum!
Baie goeie foto's! Ek is lief vir sjokolade en Indiese kos. Hierdie kombinasie klink soos 'n wenresep! Snaakse storie oor jou kat. Ek is ook 'n kat-mens :).
Agreed! Chocolate is every girl's best friend. But cardamom is my lover! I mean I love cardamom. This is dreamy, best for the times I carve chocolate so much, I think I would die! {literally}
This looks really gorgeous. I was looking at doing a chocolate Indian inspired dessert, like a hot chocolate fondant but better.. Will definitely use these spices to flavour it now. Thanks for the inspiration!!
Glad I could inspire! Enjoy your Indian dessert, the fondant idea sounds smashing.
mmm yum! i'm looking for some creative hot chocolate ideas... will have to give this one a spin. :)
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