Lime Hot Cocoa
OK - before I get started, I should point out this is kinda strange. I don't really cook and if I try something in the kitchen it is usually on the cheap and using convenience food. So, bear that in mind as you read this.
You know those chocolate oranges that break into individual wedges of orange-flavored chocolate? Well there are lime versions of this as well that are quite tasty. I pretty much like lime added to anything, like Coke or salsa, and I think it makes perfect sense to pair it with chocolate.
One day my sister and I were discussing different cocktail recipes on Webtender.com and she pointed out a tasty looking Key Lime drink. My mind started thinking about lime stuff and I decided I began to wonder if anyone ever made lime hot chocolate. Charlotte Anne thought that maybe lime jello mix could work if added to hot cocoa powder. Since it would be a _very_ cheap way to try the idea, I figured it wouldn't be any big deal if it failed miserably. Also, marshmallows are made with gelatin, so it isn't that strange an idea to put a little in hot cocoa, right? A box of store brand lime gelatin is less than 50 cents, so I picked one up the next time I was at the grocery store.
To make the lime hot cocoa, I add 1 teaspoon of the jello mix with 2 heaping teaspoons of instant hot cocoa mix in a regular size coffee cup. The canister for the cocoa (Swiss Miss in my case) says not to use boiling water, but I figure it would help dissolve the gelatin that much better. I don't fill the cup with the boiling water because I always add a few tablespoons of milk - usually canned evaporated milk (-not- condensed milk) - to cool it down a bit and to make it creamier - I just make sure to stir the mix very well in the hot water before cooling it off with milk.
I doubt anyone will try this, but I will tell you that it is delicious so you will have to take my word for it. :) I suppose I could try lime juice but this works well enough and is so inexpensive. I'm going to see what happens with raspberry jello mix, but that's not as big of a deal because you can buy raspberry hot chocolate mix already... but I bet my way would be cheaper.