valentines day hot chocolate

we were pretty much snowed in for valentine's day- i had planned on making me, susan, and vic cream cheese wontons, potatoes au gratin with gruyere cheese and white chocolate bread pudding. unfortunately we couldn't make it to the grocery store- so we ordered some chinese food. BUT i did make a special treat- the most rich, delicious hot chocolate. it has cayenne pepper in it, which truly brings out the flavor of the chocolate.

this makes enough for about 6 people- so cut it down accordingly, or make tons of it. its awesome.

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
5 cups light cream, or whole milk or nonfat milk( I used vic's vitamin D milk)
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1 to 2 cinnamon sticks
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate
2 tbsp sugar or honey

In a pan, combine cream or milk, vanilla bean and cinnamon stick. Heat over medium flame until bubbles appear around the edge. Reduce heat to low; add cayenne pepper, chocolate and sugar or honey; whisk occasionally until chocolate is melted and sugar dissolves.
Turn off heat; remove vanilla bean and cinnamon stick.
So rich, its good enough to be a dessert. xox happy valentine's day!