Clean and Healthy Hot Chocolate

There is nothing better on a cold winter day (like today) than a cup of hot chocolate. I had actually given up on hot chocolate, even though it’s one of my favorite beverages, because I didn’t think there were any clean variations out there, and if there were, the hot chocolate probably wouldn’t taste that great. Was I ever wrong!

I happened to be thumbing through my new copy of The Eat-Clean Diet for Family and Kids and found a recipe for hot chocolate! Tosca’s recipe calls for agave nectar, which I don’t have any on hand, of course. I was going to substitute with honey instead, but wasn’t sure how that would taste. So I chose to use organic sugar cane crystals. This has to be the best-tasting hot chocolate ever! And much healthier and better for us than what’s in those packets that we buy at the store.

So here is my recipe. If you want, you can substitute the organic sugar cane crystals with agave nectar. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup light soy milk (you can use skim milk, low-fat milk, rice or almond, whatever you prefer)
• 1 tbsp. raw cocoa powder
• 4 egg whites
• 1 tbsp. organic sugar cane crystals

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, pour 1 cup of milk and add 1 tbsp. cocoa powder. Heat over medium flame, stirring often to avoid scalding.
2. In a large bowl, combine the 4 egg whites and organic sugar cane crystals (or agave nectar) by whisking.
3. Remove the pan of milk and cocoa powder from the stove. Slowly pour the milk mixture into the bowl with the egg/sugar cane crystal mixture, whisking the entire time while pouring. Whisk the mixture until slightly foamy.
4. Pour into favorite mug or cup.

If you have some dark chocolate, add dark chocolate shavings to the top for an added treat!

Nutritional info when made with light soymilk and organic sugar cane crystals:

204 calories | 25 g carbs | 21 g protein | 2.5 g fat