Hot chocolate dream
For all chocoholics like me, I'm sharing a healthy cocoa variant that is really extremely delicious.
Especially in the cold season, I always find a hot cup of cocoa to be a relief - no matter what time of day it is. Since the usual cocoa drinks are usually full of sugar and at the same time rather low in nutrients, I tested the following variant.
If, like me, you prefer or have to avoid large amounts of cow's milk, you can also cook the cocoa with a plant milk alternative. I prefer almond or oat drink. The latter is said to help regulate digestion thanks to a special type of sugar and can also lower cholesterol levels thanks to its fiber content.
Almond milk, on the other hand, scores with many vitamins, a low fat content and minerals such as calcium, magnesium and iron.
By the way, you can also make both versions yourself - it's definitely still on my to-do list. Compared to normal cow's milk, both alternatives are relatively expensive, especially almond drink.
To sweeten the cocoa, I use dates - the fruits from the Persian Gulf are definitely one of my favorite treats. Not only do they taste good, but they also contain numerous good nutrients - lots of vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants (can help prevent diseases such as diabetes and heart disease). Due to their natural sugar content, they are considered a very good source of energy. Another argument in favor of increased date consumption is the regulating effect on blood sugar levels due to the high fiber content. When I have a craving for sweets, I like to reach for dates because - compared to sweets containing processed sugar - I am satisfied very quickly and feel good for a longer period of time.
In addition to the nut butter (of course you can also use other things - e.g. almond or cashew butter), I integrated my favorite spices cinnamon, ginger and a little bit of cardamom. The mixture is a real treat and is also frequently used in Ayurveda. Ginger in particular has a stimulating effect - so cocoa is also suitable as a real coffee alternative in the morning.
Preparation time: 5 min
Servings: 1 cup
Ingredients:
300 ml milk or plant-based drink I usually use almond drink
2 pcs. Medjool dates
1 tsp cocoa powder (raw cocoa)
1 tsp peanut butter
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1 pinch of cardamom
Preparation:
Add all ingredients to the blender or food processor until you have a fairly homogeneous liquid.
Heat the liquid in the pot and enjoy.
