Spicy Hot Chocolate

Serves 2

1/3 cup cocoa
1/4 cup caster sugar
1/4 tsp mixed spice
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 cups milk

Combine the cocoa, sugar, mixed spice & cinnamon in a saucepan. Add 1/4 cup milk & stir to form a paste.
Warm saucepan over low heat. Add the remaining milk & whisk vigorously until warm.
Serve with churros (below).

Churros

This is a traditional South American thing, similar to a donut, & is alway served with hot chocolate. The best way to eat them is by dipping bit by bit & biting off the end soaked with hot chocolate. Mmm...

Makes approx. 40

1 cup water
85g butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup plain flour, sifted
3 eggs
vegetable oil for deep-frying
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup icing sugar

Place water, butter, salt & sugar in a saucepan over high heat. Bring to the boil.
Add the flour, reduce heat to low & stir vigorously until the mixture forms a ball & comes away from the side of the pan.
Remove from heat & add eggs one at a time, stirring well between additions.
Place the mixture in a piping bag fitted with a fluted nozzle.
Heat the oil in a deep saucepan over medium heat. When hot, pipe 10cm lengths of the mixture into the oil. Cook for 1 minute or until golden brown. Remove & drain on paper towel.
Liberally dust the warm churros with the combined cinnamon & icing sugar (or alternatively, use cinnamon sugar). Serve immediately. Yum!