Frozen Hot Chocolate

"Honey," I said, sweetly, as we were reading before bed. "What would you think if I bought a $500 blender?"

Silence.

"Well, it's a really good blender," I add.

"...ummm. Don't we already have a blender? Didn't it cost, like, $25?"

I can see now that I should've taken a different approach. Something more like an infomercial. I could've said, "Honey, how much is our health and well-being worth to you? $5,000? $50,000? What if I told you that we could make an investment in our health, possibly even extend both the quality and length of our lives, for the low low price of $500?"

But no. Instead, I kept digging myself a hole.

"Well, it's a really good blender," I repeat. "You can even make nut butter in it!"

He wasn't impressed.

Clearly I'm talking about the Vitamix 5200, the king of all blenders. It doesn't just blend. It pulvurizes. It puts the "smooth" in smoothie. It can turn a handful of cashews into a spreadable substance in seconds. It can whip apple slices into applesauce. It can even make ice cream. And I'm mesmerized by it.

I've had a history of blender issues (click on the link if only to see the most adorable picture of my little one a year ago...sorry, it's just too sweet). I've put the Vitamix up on the kitchen appliance pedestal once reserved only for KitchenAid mixers and Viking ranges. It doesn't help that my co-worker has one and raves about it.

But seriously, I can't justify it. $500? Why does it cost that much? Maybe the blades are made out of baby rhino teeth.

Fortunately for us regular folk, you don't need a Vitamix to make frozen hot chocolate. And fortunately for my husband, I'm keeping my Visa card in my wallet...for now.


Frozen Hot Chocolate
From Fine Cooking mag, it's like really thick chocolate milk blended with ice, except using cocoa powder instead of chocolate syrup adds that hot chocolaty-ness to it. Remember that homemade Kahlua? That's a perfect (adults-only) addition. This makes one big glass or two smaller servings.

1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cups natural unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
Small pinch of salt
A couple shots of Kahlua (optional)
1 cup ice cubes

Blend all ingredients except the ice in a blender until well combined. Add ice and blend just until slushy. Serve immediately.