There was a distinct chill in the air last night which lead me to put on slippers and make a cup of gluten free, dairy free hot chocolate. This quick and easy beverage can be simply made from scratch in a matter of minutes.
Hot Cocoa
Ingredients
- ¼ cup (raw) cashews
- 1 cup water (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar or honey
- 20 drops stevia
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
Instructions
- Place cashews and (room temperature) water in a vitamix; puree on high until completely smooth and no lumps of cashew remain
- Blend in cacao, agave, stevia and vanilla
- Divide cacao mixture evenly between 2 mugs
- Top off each mug with ½ cup boiling water
- Serve
Equipment
My younger son and his friend Kai were my taste testers for today’s hot chocolate. I make sure to test the recipes that I post on someone besides myself, often making each one several times.
Here’s what they had to say, “It tasted really good with the stevia.” Initially I had a mere 10 drops of stevia in the recipe, however the boys said it was not quite sweet enough, so I doubled up to make it taste more like regular hot chocolate by adding 10 more drops, resulting in the 20 drops you see in the recipe above.
On another note, while this site is still a well kept secret, my recipes are often reviewed by others online, generally in a positive tone. Today I saw this review of my simple bread. While it was nice that the review was honest (I always appreciate the feedback) the tone wasn’t something to which I’m accustomed.
I would have to agree though that my recipes are not for those looking to save on food costs (see Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma
for more on that). They are very filling (making many more servings than average dishes) and far more nutritious.
How do you view food? What priority does it take in your life? Leave a comment and let us know.
M says
Made this with 2 dates instead of honey and stevia- turned out great!
Elana says
M, that sounds amazing!
Reb says
I really cannot cook or follow recipes but I bought your book on paleo things and also search your web site from time and time. I like it because it is easy and very simple to follow and even adjust. I’m also new to paleo things so I draw much inspiration from you. Great job! Thank you :)
Elana says
Reb, you’re welcome!
Raquel says
Hi Elana, I’m intrigued by your recipe as I am allergic to milk and I love hot chocolate. Making it with water leaves it too weak for my taste…but I am also a type 2 diabetic and I was wondering if you could post the amount of carbs per serving. That would be immensely helpful! Also, would a food processor work for pureeing the cashews? I don’t have a vitamix. Thank you!
inforaksti.wordpress.com says
Hi there, I check your blog regularly. Your story-telling
style is witty, keep doing what you’re doing!
Roselani says
And by the way, my 3 year old son who was refusing to try this, finally tasted it and said it’s the best hot chocolate he’s ever had. ;)
Roselani says
I just made this. It’s delicious. Thank you for sharing all of your wonderful recipes.
Debi Wells says
It is expensive and becoming even more expensive to eat healthy foods. A health crisis and the discovery of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet meant that I did not even think about cost for a couple of months since I was so focused on getting better. It’s been a couple of years now that I have been very careful with what I eat and I have come up with a couple of suggestions.
1. Never buy food that you may throw out.
2. Be willing to turn eating into a way to be healthy and not hungry. It isn’t something to do because we are bored or want to meet with a friend.
3. Make your own treats, because then we appreciate them.
4. Learn how to cook food that you like and plan ahead.
That’s it. I still entertain, I still go to restaurants, I still have fun. But if what is on offer is manufactured, refined or is genetically modified I pass. If I’m hungry, I know that it I will be able to fix it a bit later.
Thanks for all the work you do on making these recipes so good.
Christine Brigham says
Excellent points. The way I feel is that I have worked very hard to get my health better and I am not willing to deviate from the foods I can eat just for a social function. When you really think –these high fat low carb recipes are extremely satiating and I am never hungry anymore!
Elana says
Christine, thanks for letting me know that these high fat low carb recipes are extremely satisfying and that they support you on your healing journey!
Cd says
Hi Elana, just wanted to send a BIG thank you to you. I have recently been diagnosed as “everything” intolerant (gluten, casein, rice, potato, beet root, chicory, guargum, you name it…very depressing), & was at my wits end when I stumbled across your blog. I’m soooo happy to have found this many recipes that I can actually eat????yipee. I have already ordered 3 of your cookbooks & will sit by the mail box until the 3 little life savers arrive! Thanks heaps!! You’ve given me hope!
JW Nalda says
Why not add more agave instead of using stevia?
Have you tried using unsweetened almond milk?
Judith says
Elana,
I don’t know how I stumbled across your blog, but I think I am on it daily at this point. I started cooking paleo/gluten free just a few weeks ago and a whole new world has opened up to me. Although I’ve always been a healthy eater, I’m taking it to a new level. Just made homemade mayo and almond milk and using the pulp to make a tart for tomorrow’s dinner. Thank you so much for your blog!!
And has to the extra money spent on food costs….well thats easy. I budget else where so that I may consume the most natural ingredients possible to ensure my health and happiness for life. I love knowing exactly what I’m putting into my body, exactly what I need to fuel my active lifestyle, and how much effort it takes to create. Appreciating food so much more as well as experimenting even more!
Keep blogging…I’m looking forward making your shepherd’s pie this week!