Chocolate Caliente

Directions

1. 1
   In a saucepot over medium heat, bring the milk to a boil, add the chocolate tablets (the quantity depends on how strong you like hot chocolate), and decrease the heat, stirring until the chocolate is dissolved.
2. 2
   Froth with a molinillo, whisk, or hand mixer until you have a nice bubbly foam and serve immediately.
3. 3
   Preheat the oven to 350F.
4. 4
   Place the almonds and canela on separate baking sheets and roast, turning often, until everything is toasted; the canela should take about 5 minutes and the almonds 10 minutes (remove the canela while the almonds continue to toast).
5. 5
   Remove from the oven and let cool on a plate.
6. 6
   (You could do this on the stove instead using a comal or griddle over moderate heat but youll need to pay close attention to it.)
7. 7
   Lay the cacao beans in a single layer on another baking sheet.
8. 8
   Once the almonds are done, put the cacao beans in the oven and decrease the heat to 300F (the initial hotter temperature will give the almonds a nice roasted flavor).
9. 9
   Make sure you move the beans around often so they roast evenly, and bake until they all change color and the outer shells begin to crack slightly, 15 to 20 minutes.
10. 10
    The best test, however, is to smell them.
11. 11
    Make sure you dont overroast the beans or they will be bitter.
12. 12
    Remove the beans from the oven and let cool slightly so they are easier to handle.
13. 13
    Remove the outer shells with your hands by pressing each bean lightly.
14. 14
    Try a bean; it should have a nice roasted flavor and shouldnt be bitter, but may be acidic because of the tannins.
15. 15
    Grind the cooled beans in a food processor for awhile until they are all melted into a smooth paste (youll know what I mean when you get there; just be patient), scraping down the sides as needed.
16. 16
    Coarsely chop the almonds, break the canela into small pieces, and add to the cacao, continuing to grind.
17. 17
    Add the sugar, starting with 3 cups and add a little more, if needed, depending on the beans (the mixture should be sweet but not overly so).
18. 18
    Continue grinding for awhile longer until everything comes together.
19. 19
    The mixture should be smooth and slightly grainy.
20. 20
    Line an 11 by 17-inch baking sheet with a nonstick mat or wax paper, pour the chocolate mixture onto it, and flatten with your hands or a spatula (use a little cold water in either case so it doesnt stick).
21. 21
    Make sure it is spread out evenly.
22. 22
    Using a sharp knife, lightly mark the tablets to your desired size (I like to do 1 inch by 2 inches) with a ruler, dipping the knife in a container of hot water and drying it as needed so it doesnt stick.
23. 23
    Allow them to fully set (usually overnight), then separate the tablets and store in an airtight container in a dry place.
24. 24
    They should last about 3 months if stored properly.
25. 25
    They may discolor with time, but this doesnt mean they are spoiled.
26. 26
    The addiction to chocolate has created a lot of conflict and even some deaths.
27. 27
    Don Artemio de Valle-Arizpe wrote a story about Bernardino de Salazar y Frias, a bishop from Chiapas who forbid excess consumption in 1625.
28. 28
    Distinguished society ladies would drink chocolate at all hours of the day, even in churchtheir maids would bring the foamy hot beverage to them as they sat in the pews.
29. 29
    Apparently they were very unhappy about the new restrictions: they say the bishop died from a poisoned cup of hot chocolate.
30. 30
    It is still customary to say in Chiapas, They gave him his chocolate, when someone is murdered.