because of traveling

When I am traveling, I know where to buy coffee.  My favorites are the truck stops.  Pilots and Flying J's are the most consistent cup of coffee across the country.  Loves is not bad.  But I drink a lot of tea. Lipton's is not very good and many places that is all you can get.  You can get hot water but poor tea.  

I have had luck in the recent past because Pilot/Flying J (they are owned by the same people) have upped there game.  But it was obvious on this last trip that either stocks had run down or people were not drinking as much tea.  What to do?

My Mom was told she had to gain weight and stop drinking the green tea she loves.  We suggested hot chocolate.  She tried it and it was not bad.

Many Washington rest areas also have volunteers serving coffee, tea, and hot cocoa.  Sometimes they have cookies too.  We got hot chocolate.  That was a nice change.  So when we could not find tea, that was a thought.

When we got back, I was wanting something chocolately.  And warm.  I was not in the mood to wait for baking.  I decided to make hot chocolate.  I used my Dad's old recipe because the hot cocoa mix we had in the house I really do not like. 

Warm goodness in a cup.  I added a bit of vanilla and I added bitter chocolate to make it richer.  But those are just extras.  Like a smidgen of cinnamon could be an extra.

hot cocoa/chocolate with fancy options

Note:  This is per cup of chocolate.  Increase the measurements by how many cups you are making.

2 tablespoons cocoa

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 ounces unsweetened/baking chocolate (optional)

1/2 to 1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)

a pinch of cinnamon (optional)

a pinch of salt

8 ounces of milk.

In a pan, over low heat, put the cocoa, sugar, and salt.  If you are using any optional ingredients, add them now.  Add the milk.  Whisk until everything is well incorporated or melted and the cocoa is the temperature you wish.  I like hot but not so hot I burn my tongue.

Lovely!