I've had a sore throat for a few days so I thought it was the perfect excuse to make my favorite treat... My amazing Hot Chocolate! I know it isn't really cold yet, but honestly I don't think it WILL ever be cold enough in Houston to NEED Hot Chocolate, so I figured I might as well make it just because I WANTED it. And I could always drink it chilled... Not that I DO, but I COULD. Can you tell from my Caps that I'm Justifying a bit... Anyway, this is the greatest Hot Chocolate recipe and I'm sharing it with you! Enjoy (esp those of you who live in a colder climate). 
Hot Cocoa
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup hot water
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
4 cups milk
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Mix cocoa, sugar, water and salt in a saucepan. Over medium heat, stir constantly until mixture boils. Cook for one minute, stirring constantly. Stir in the milk and heat, but do not boil. Remove from heat and add vanilla; blend well. Serve immediately.
I make a double batch and keep it in the fridge and heat it up one cup at a time and enjoy it for days. It will separate, so you'll have to mix it a bit every time. I keep in my mixing pitcher for ease. The best part about it is I get a lot of milk in my diet this way. In fact this is one of 2 ways I ever drink/eat reg milk (Cereal is the way~ I have a weakness for Cap'n Crunch). All other dairy is in the form of Cream, Butter, and Cheese. I keep a plentiful supply of all three at ALL times.
