The white stuff arrived.
There are certain things that are a must for me when the white stuff arrives and one of those is hot chocolate.  A steaming bowl of chocolate comfort with a fluffy white marshmallow melting gentle on its surface- yes please!

 Now while I can often be found just dipping my teaspoon into a shop bought hot chocolate powder, just as most things in the kitchen, a homemade version is supremely better and a little work now and you have instant hot chocolate powder for those cold weather emergencies.

THE VERY BEST INSTANT HOT CHOCOLATE

100g chocolate of your choice
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup coconut sugar (or demerara sugar)
3 tablespoons powdered milk
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

METHOD

1. Grate the chocolate with a micro-plane grater and mix everything together in a bowl.  Using a whisk, mix everything to get rid of any lumps in the cocoa powder.  You could sieve the cocoa powder but life is just too short to sieve anything. 
2. Store in an airtight jar.  
3. To make the cocoa: Get out a heavy-bottomed pan. Measure out 3 tablespoons of your mix and add it to 1/2 cup of milk (any milk will work) and 1/2 cup of water (you could go all milk or all water if you like, but half and half is my preference). Gently warm over medium heat and whisk to incorporate the mix.  When it is just under boiling its ready to go with a few finishing touches;