Mayan Hot Chocolate

Source: Terry S. - Saudi Arabia

If you have not seen the movie "Chocolat" rent it! - it is wonderful! I have looked for this recipe off and on for months and finally found it through e-mailing an Australian confectioner. This drink is as close as we can get with modern ingredients to the Mayan drink (from the movie) - it will cure anything from PMS to heart disease to a broken heart.

This can be made and then chilled and served cold... but even in 100+ heat..it is sooo good in the morning. Better than coffee! I used more hot pepper than called for ;-)

1 chile pepper, cut in half, seeds removed
5 cups light cream, or whole milk or nonfat milk
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1 to 2 cinnamon sticks
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate OR 3 tablets
    Mexican chocolate, cut into 2-inch pieces
2 tablespoons granulated sugar or honey or to taste
1 tablespoon almonds or hazelnuts, ground extra fine

Add chile pepper to 2 cups boiling water. Cook until liquid is reduced to 1 cup. Remove chile pepper; strain for stray seeds, and set aside.

In a medium-size saucepan, combine cream or milk, vanilla bean and cinnamon stick. Heat over medium flame until bubbles appear around the edge. Reduce heat to low; add chocolate and sugar or honey; whisk occasionally until chocolate is melted and sugar dissolves.

Turn off heat; remove vanilla bean and cinnamon stick, stir in ground almonds or hazelnuts. Add chile pepper infusion, a little at a time, making sure the flavor isn't too strong. If chocolate is too thick, thin with a little more milk.

Serves 6.