I was visiting a friend who was about to have a gathering of about 20 people at her house. What would we have for la cena (dinner)? With a limited budget and a few mouths to feed, she decided on Dominican hot chocolate and bread.

Normally I believe this would be something that would be eaten for breakfast here, but it worked out just fine for our gathering of fun and games and a little something yummy.

I watched intently to see how this chocolate was to be made. I had in mind that it would taste like Mexican hot chocolate, which is a little more bitter tasting and not much to my liking, but this chocolate was MUCH different, and most delicious!

This hot chocolate will fill the air with the warm aromas of cinnamon and cloves and of course, chocolate.

You can also try adding it to your coffee for a wonderful mocha!

Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 Min
Total time: 35 min

Makes 10 Cups

What you will need:

8 cups water
4 squares of Munne or Diplomatico chocolate (Dominican Republic)
2 cans Carnation milk
4 sticks of cinnamon
1 tsp whole cloves
1 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp vanilla

In a stock pot, on mid-high flame, bring water,cinnamon, cloves, sugar, salt, and chocolate to a boil.

(Your can adjust the sugar and/or salt if desired)
Reduce flame to lowest setting,cover, and simmer mixture for about 30 min.

Turn off flame and add both cans of Carnation milk and vanilla.
Remove cloves and cinnamon.

(if you like a stronger flavor of cinnamon and cloves, you can leave them in the mixture for no more than an extra hour, if you leave them in longer the flavor will be too strong)