I missed desserts! (The really yummy part!)  That’s what happens when you’re in the hospital. 😉  This is the final week of the Whole Foods for the Holidays real food progressive dinner; today’s course is drinks.

I have two drinks to share today.  One is a fresh (as opposed to mix/powdered) version of hot chocolate.  The other is a warm smoothie.  (We like to have smoothies most mornings with our breakfasts, but a half-frozen smoothie can be pretty overwhelming on a really cold winter morning!)

Hot Chocolate

5 oz. semi-sweet chocolate (chocolate chips are an easy source)
1 quart milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Combine chocolate and milk in large saucepan over medium heat.  Whisk until chocolate is melted and milk is hot and frothy, about 20 minutes.  Remove from heat, add vanilla, and pour into a blender, filling halfway.  Blend until frothy.

Makes 4 servings.

NOTE: If you have a Vita-Mix…I have made this in that, too.  You have to be willing to let it run for a while, which makes a lot of noise, but you can just throw everything in and let it run ’til it’s all hot.

Winter Apple Smoothie

You will need a Vita-Mix for this, or something very similar that actually heats the contents as it runs.

1 cup milk
1 apple, halved or quartered
2 Tbsp. oats
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
dash honey

Add all ingredients to Vita-Mix.  Run on variable speed 4 or 5 until apple is well-chopped, then turn up to high and run for several minutes until warm.

Makes 2 servings.

NOTE: If you let this get cold, it’s gross; must be drunk warm!