Recipe: Mexican Hot Chocolate

I was looking for a warm and cozy drink, and this really hit the spot. I'm a regular coffee drinker and an avid hot tea lover, but every now and again I like a delicious cup of hot cocoa. Here is an adaptation I created of traditional Mexican hot chocolate.

Ingredients:
Makes 4 cups.

1 heaping tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (I like Hershey's)
3 tbsp white sugar
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground cayenne pepper
pinch of salt
1/8 tsp vanilla extract (per mug)
1 cup milk (per mug)
whipped cream and extra cinnamon to top
4 mugs

In a small bowl combine cocoa powder, sugar, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and salt. Stir well until you have no lumps of cocoa and all ingredients are mixed together.
In your mug, stir the milk and vanilla extract. Warm in microwave on high for 1 1/2 min.
Add 1 tbsp of cocoa mixture to mug of warm milk and vanilla. Stir well and top with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired.
Enjoy!!

** The cocoa mixture can be stored in an airtight container in your pantry for an unlimited length of time. Just stir or shake it up before each use. :)

Recipe: Chicken Avocado & Tomato Grilled Cheese

Whew! Now that is, quite literally, a mouthful. I made this sandwich over the weekend on a whim and... Yum!

Ingredients:

2 slices white bread
2 slices deli chicken breast
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, or 2 slices
1/2 avocado, peeled and seeded
1/2 small tomato, diced
1/2 tsp lime juice (can sub lemon juice)
1/8 tsp course salt
1/8 tsp cracked black pepper
butter or oil, for grilling

Preheat your electric skillet to 350°.
In a small bowl, mix together the avocado, tomato, lime juice, salt and pepper. Mash with a fork until biggest lumps are gone.
Spread butter or oil on one side of each slice of bread. Place that side down onto skillet and layer sandwich with cheese, avocado mixture, and chicken. Lay second slice of bread on top with butter side up. (This is how I do my grilled cheese, but I know everyone has their own method!)
Grill for 2-3 minutes and then carefully flip. Grill an additional 2-3 minutes. Both sides should be golden and crispy.

Enjoy!