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Honey Balsamic and Lemon Brussels Sprout Chicken with Goat Cheese Polenta.
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So how do we feel about superfoods?
Personally, I am really into them right now. I’ve been on a bit of a superfoods kick ever since I spent all of January planning, creating and photographing super healthy, real food recipes. I promise though, nothing too out there with super weird ingredients…well, except the maca powder in this hot chocolate. Read about maca below. Generally, I want my recipes to be approachable, and to only have ingredients that can be found in everyday places the like the grocery store, Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s. FYI, it would be really nice to have a Trader Joe’s, less than an hour and a half away, I mean what’s up with that?!?
Today’s recipe is quickly becoming a favorite. My mom and I have been making it on a weekly basis for many reasons.
Reason ONE: this cocoa is pretty quick to make, especially if you have either pre-roasted or cooked beets on hand, or even beets from a can or jar will do. And yes, there are beets in this hot chocolate. PLEASE do not shake you head. Promise, you won’t even know they are in there, and the beets give this hot chocolate a fun red velvet color…perfect for Valentine’s Day this Sunday!
Reason TWO: this recipe uses pantry ingredients: cacao powder (or cocoa powder, but cacao powder is really what you want if you want this to be a true superfood hot chocolate), chia seeds, cinnamon, ginger, cayenne (don’t be scared it’s optional!), vanilla and milk (any variety works, I prefer a mix of full-fat canned coconut milk and almond milk).
Reason THREE: this cocoa is full of all healthy ingredients, but yet still satisfies your sweet tooth. It also keeps you warm and cozy. SCORE.
Reason FOUR: honey caramelized brioche. To be honest here, there is nothing very healthy about this brioche, but man, it is SO freaking good. <–truth.
Reason FIVE: umm, hello?!? It’s red velvet hot chocolate without any weird food coloring, and um the brioche is so cute when cut into hearts. LOVE!
So now you see why I love this SO much?
This superfood hot chocolate is the prefect healthy treat for Valentine’s Day, OR really just any day between now and spring. And even once spring comes, you know there’s going to be plenty of rainy days when a mug of hot chocolate is just about all you need in life…
Man, don’t you just love my dramatics these days? I think little miss Asher is rubbing off on me. YIKES.
Anyway, the point it that you must give this hot chocolate a try. I promise it is SO delicious. Oh and if you are wondering, maca powder is a superfood full of protein, fibers, vitamins + minerals. It helps to balance hormones, increase fertility, balance out mood swings and increase energy. Geez, that is kind of a lot!! Pretty cool, huh? The maca is completely optional, as it does not add much in the way of flavor, but it clearly has benefits. If you want to read more about it, I thought this article was pretty informative. Double OH, do not be freaked out about beet puree in your hot chocolate. My mom who pretty much hates all things beets (and many other veggies…ugh) loves this hot chocolate. She had it three times in the last week and all three times she gave it double thumbs up…
Granted it was accompanied by the caramelized brioche, which I just cannot lie is my most favorite thing ever, but like I said earlier it really has no health benefits…unless you count the overall happiness you’ll feel while eating it, which I surely do! 🙂 This brioche is everything. Sweet, doughy, moist, delicious, addicting… SO GOOD. Words really can’t describe it. You just have to give it a try, and then realize it’s deliciousness for yourself. Major bonus points if you cut the brioche into cute little hearts. Valentine’s Day or not, heart-shaped food always puts a smile on my face… yes, I am totally seven years old.
Forever young… 🙂
Sooo, are you weirded out or totally into this?? I’m hoping you are totally into it!! Just give it a try, as your mother always said, you’ll never know until you try. You’ll see when you look at the recipe that you can really customize it to what you have on hand or your personal tastes. The way I have it written is the way I have been making it, but you can adapt it to your liking. I do recommend blending the hot chocolate at the end to puree the chia seeds. It’s not a must, but I think it makes for a better, smoother texture AND you get MAJOR foam. Like major, coffee shop style foam.
It’s legit!
Oh, and please make the cute honey caramelized, heart shape brioche. It will make your Tuesday, your week or possibly even you Valentine’s Day. Really though, the brioche (generously) dipped in this superfood hot chocolate will bring you all the happiness you’ll need to get you through the day. I know, so over the top, but there’s just something special about this recipe guys.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
It’s the feel good, put a smile on and be happy recipe. Honest. 🙂
Well it sure looks good!!!
Thank you! xTieghan