Chilli hot chocolate for the romantics
                                                   

So, its that time of the year again to celebrate the most overrated and expensive day. Yes, you heard it right. I am not a valentine's day person. I DO NOT agree to pay double the price to book table's in restaurants just to sit with a bunch of other strangers and claim to celebrate love.I would rather spend that cash somewhere else and celebrate the day in a much more romantic way. Why not make something for our loved one's with our own bare hands? That too in 10 mins!!!

Serves 2
Preparation and cooking time 5-10 mins

Ingredients 

• 2-3 teaspoon any malted drink powder
• 2-3 teaspoon plain chocolate powder
• 2-3 teaspoon sweetened hot chocolate powder
• 1/2 cup broken good quality plain chocolate
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cup full fat milk
• 1/2 cup cream
• Pinch of chilli flakes
• Marshmallow for decoration

In a microwave safe mug place the chocolate pieces, chilli flakes, vanilla extract and cream. Heat in high for no more then 20-30 seconds. Be very careful at this stage, as chocolate burns easily.Make sure you do not put the chocolate in the microwave for too long.The chocolate and cream mixture should have almost melted by now. Stir vigorously with a spoon to mix any remaining chocolate pieces. The heat in the liquid should melt the remaining chocolate pieces. If not, then repeat the process. Add the milk and place in the microwave for 1 minute. Now add the dry ingredients and mix well. Place it in the microwave again for another 1 minute. Make sure that there are no lumps in the mixture. Check the temperature of the hot chocolate. If you want it even more hot then heat it in the microwave for another 1 minute. Pour the hot chocolate into two tall glass mugs and drop some marshmallows on top. Add few chilli flakes on top to add that extra sizzle.

P.S I am sure you love your valentine to bits, so go easy on the chilli flakes!!

                                                             Vietnamese Coffee

Growing up in Assam means being surrounded by tea lovers literally everywhere. As I have mentioned, we are very serious about our cup of tea, this also means that we identify ourselves with it and solemnly swear by it everyday.Coffee is just a wrong word in an Assamese household. It's the hush word!!! Hence, I never had a fancy opinion on coffee in the fear of being considered as danger to the state.

My first taste of Vietnamese coffee was in a tiny Vietnamese coffee shop in London. Almost instantly, I fell in love with it. It was the best coffee that I have ever had, very rich with a very subtle chocolatey taste.I was also taken back by the unique way the Vietnamese enjoy their coffee. In order to get the best taste of the dark roasted coffee they have it with sweetened condensed milk.It is creamy,yet it gives you that strong punch that you expect from a cup of coffee.That coffee shop in London got closed and my search for that perfect cup of Vietnamese coffee continued, until last Christmas when I received a parcel from a very dear Vietnamese friend of mine. It was the best Christmas gift that I have ever received. Here's the list of ingredients for the coffee

Preparation time 5-10 mins
Serves 2

Ingredients

• 2-3 teaspoon Vietnamese ground coffee 
• 2-3 teaspoon sweetened condensed milk
• 2 cups boiling water

In order to filter the coffee you will need a Vietnamese phin or any other normal coffee plunger. Place the coffee into the coffee plunger pour the hot water.Cover and  let it brew for couple of minutes. Take two cups and spoon in the condensed milk.You can add more or less condensed milk as per the sweetness required. Pour the brewed coffee, stir and enjoy the most amazing coffee.