Warm your whole body with this Hot Chocolate recipe!

     Last Thanksgiving I escaped the cold chill of Boston for the Mediterranean kiss of Barcelona. It was my first time in Spain, and I fell in love instantly. Barcelona is a beautiful city, from the architecture of Gaudi to the culinary bounty of the Mediterranean Sea, this city has a lot to offer.
     My friend Laura and I spent our day walking around the old city, the warm sun over our heads. We came across a gelato shop, the counter filled with so many varieties of cool creamy goodness. After much sampling, we decided on a very unusual flavor- chocolate picante, or spicy chocolate. The flavor was magnificient, at first, you get the chilling of the gelato, the sweetness of the chocolate...then as it melts away, the heat from the peppers really kicks in. It was amazing.
     So last night I had the craving for something sweet. I had brought home some hot chocolate mix from work, and I decided I would recreate a little bit of Barcelona in my LA apartment. This sweet, slightly spicy hot chocolate with satisfy your sweet tooth and warm your whole body. It's the perfect compliment for chilly nights. One sip and you'll be making this all the time.

Picante Hot Chocolate 

You'll need:

• 3 cups 2% milk
• 3 Tbs. hot chocolate mix (I prefer Silly Cow Farms)
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
•                                          Good pinch cayenne
•                                          Small pinch nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Heat milk and vanilla extract in a small size pot over medium-low heat: milk should be hot, not boiling!

2. As milk warms, slowly combine with hot chocolate powder. Stir with a whisk to remove all lumps.

3. Add cinnamon and chili powder, whisking vigorously to fully incorporate.
4. Garnish with whipped cream and cinnamon, if desired.