October in South Dakota has been the warmest on record. Usually we have our first frost on the 6th, but this year we had our 1st frost last night. I am not sure how hard it actually froze, but the tomato plants were drooping this morning. The tomato plants have been confused and have done better this month than all of the summer. They are overgrown and were still blooming a few weeks ago. Last week I brought in a few green ones in and wrapped them in newspaper to see if they would turn red. To my amazement, when I checked them yesterday they were very red! Today I am going to pick the rest of them. Think I will freeze them and make tomato soup later.
The cooler weather makes me think it is time for hot drinks as a cup of hot chocolate before bed or a warming cup of spiced tea after dinner. There is nothing as wonderful as a cup of homemade cocoa from Hershey’s chocolate. As a child, my daughter loved it when I made it from scratch. It has a very rich taste.
Hot Chocolate Mix
3 c. powdered sugar
8 oz. non fat dry milk
16 oz. any instant chocolate powder (like Nestlé’s)
6 oz. any non dairy creamer Mix ingredients and store in an air tight container.
Use 3 T. per cup of water.
You can add a large box of chocolate instant pudding to make it richer.
To make a gourmet mix you might add a bit of cinnamon, either power or a stick of cinnamon. Mint it with a peppermint candy or candy cane, or a bit of extract. It is a great way to use all the candy canes from Christmas. Add a few teaspoons of instant coffee for a mocha chocolate.
This recipe has been around for ages, as I remember making it in college in the late 60’s.
Spiced Tea or Russian Tea Mix
2 c. Tang
1 c. sugar
¾ c instant tea
2 scoops of lemonade mix.
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. cloves
Mix ingredients and store in an air tight container. Use a few Tablespoons to ¼ cup in hot or cold water. Personally I like this hot.
HOT SPICED TEA MIX
1/2 c. instant tea
2 c. sugar
1 tsp. ground cloves
1 (1 lb. 2 oz.) jar Tang
2 pkg. lemonade mix
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
Mix all ingredients together. Store in air tight container. To serve, use 2 teaspoons of mix in a cup of boiling water.
Put the mix in a nice container; add a pretty mug (from the dollar store) and a few homemade goodies and you have a great gift.
1 comment:
Interesting to know.
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