Hot Cocoa

Cook Time: five minutes

Prep Time: five minutes

Total Time: ten minutes

Ingredients:

one Tablespoon cocoa
one Tablespoon sugar
Pinch of salt (yes, it mellows the cocoa)
1/3 cup water
2/3 cup milk

Preparation:

Mix cocoa, sugar, and salt in a tiny saucepan, slowly stir in water. Heat and stir over moderately low heat until mixture boils, then boil slowly, stirring constantly, two minutes. Add milk and heat to scalding but do not boil.

Hot Cocoa For A Crowd 

Mix 3/4 cup cocoa with 3/4 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a giant saucepan. Gradually stir in one quart warm water, set over low heat, and heat, stirring now and then, 8 to ten minutes. Add two quarts milk and heat to scalding. Serve in mugs, sprinkled, in the event you like, with cinnamon or nutmeg or topped with marshmallows.

Yield: 12 servings