A reminder that there’s light at the end of the tunnel

“Panique au village” is my favourite cartoon. The characters and stories are so ridiculous I’ve actually started using the title to describe life to others when things are particularly chaotic.  Right now, it features heavily in my vocabulary. Why? College Finals. Need I say more? While I  ”stress bake” leading up to exams, given that they are now in full swing I find myself short on time. That’s where it seriously pays off to have this spicy recipe up my sleeve for when the pressure is a few bars short of an explosion. Not only does this Rich Chilli Hot Chocolate take but a few minutes to make and requires little cleaning up, it also provides a welcome window of relaxation! Something I definitely need at the moment.

I sampled bits and pieces of several recipes for this but the main ones I worked from were this and this.

What you’ll need:

• 250ml (Skimmed) Milk
• 100g Dark chocolate
• 100g Golden sugar
• 1/2 tsp Cornflour
• 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp Ground ginger
• 1 Chilli pepper
• Pinch of salt

Depending on how hot you like it, either (a) make some incisions into the chilli for a “soft glow” from the cup or (b) halve and de-seed it for a mug of dragon’s breath. Pour your milk into a medium sized pot and whisk in the cornflour. Then chuck in your chilli. Set the heat to medium-high and bring to the boil.

Replace that bubbling anxiety with some of this feel-good elixir

Once the milk reaches the above state, remove from the heat. Add the broken up dark chocolate and stir well until its blended together. Lob in the other spices and sugar. Place back onto a medium heat and stir constantly until the mixture thickens up. This should happen very quickly. Remove from the heat and pour into your favourite mug. Voilà! Now retreat back to study.

Add marshmallows for an additional feel-good factor

I’d like to thank Kelly for awarding me the Kreativ Blogger award – it’s reassuring to know that should I fail at college, at least I can fall back on my blogging. So, before I sign off to absorb as much as I can about marketing and 17th Century French theatre, I’ll share with you seven interesting facts about myself and pass this award onto seven other deserving bloggers.

1. After several years of yoga, I can do both the front and box splits.
2. I can fit my fist in my mouth (got bored one day).
3. I have a survival plan laid out for when the Zombie Apocalypse happens.
4. A scouts enthusiast, I’ve achieved the highest scouting award possible in Ireland.
5. I train five times a week for TaeKwon-Do which enables me to continue with this blog.
6. Once nearly suffocated myself in my sleep because I was dreaming that a shark was chasing me underwater and I was holding my breath.
7. I used to have a mild fear of clothes shops – this has since been overcome.

And the bloggers I’m passing this onto are:

TV and Cookies - she’s brilliant in general and has been a great help regarding my upcoming macaroon post.

The Smiley Soya Bean - has some absolutely fabulous recipes that have me regularly drooling over the keyboard.

Happiness Stan - very funny and has some great recipes up his sleeve.

Going Dutch – amazing photography and lovely recipes/information about life in the Netherlands.

Mirepoix Au Gras – great fun to read and some very interesting meals.

The New (Cooking) Adventures of Ole’ Bill - love this guy’s style, not to mention his food.

One Man’s Meat – because he’ll beat me if I don’t…