Healthy Hollywood: Wellness Wednesday – Sweet Romance!

Here on the east coast the temperatures are dropping and it’s the perfect time to seek comfort in chocolate. (Actually anytime is the perfect time). Celebrity couples Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, along with Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield have all been spotted at the super sweet New York City hotspot Max Brenner.

This is the ultimate destination for chocolate lovers! The menu is oozing in sweet concoctions from chocolate fondues to deep fudge desserts to even a chocolate pizza. Plus, this eatery has a gift shop that rivals “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.”

And, for those of you who would rather spend their date night calories elsewhere – remember chocolate can do a body good. Studies have shown dark chocolate can boost our mood, help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. That’s a healthy message we can all get behind!

Max Brenner shares with Healthy Hollywood a heart-warming recipe for their hot chocolate. The perfect nightcap for any couple!

Hot Chocolate:

(serves 6)

Ingredients

2 tbs. cornstarch, sifted

3.5 cups milk

.5 cup sugar

2 large egg yolks

7 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup heavy cream

Unsweetened cocoa powder for sprinkling

Sprinkle the cornstarch over half cup milk in small bowl and whisk to dissolve. Whisk in the sugar and egg yolks until combined.

In heavy-bottomed saucepan over low heat, bring 2 cups milk. Gradually mix the warm milk into the egg yolk mixture, then return the mix to the pan.

Cook, whisking often, until the mixture comes to a full boil. Stir in vanilla extract. Strain the custard through a wire sieve into bowl.

Add the chocolate to the custard. Bring the remaining 1 cup milk to a boil and pour over the custard and chocolate mixture. Let sit until the chocolate begins to melt, then stir until smooth. Pour the thick chocolate into mugs and add a dollop of whipped cream. Sprinkle with cocoa powder.

To order Max Brenner chocolate gifts, check out www.maxbrenner.com

— Terri MacLeod

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