I’ve always said that perfect has never been on Ann Kelly’s resume. This past weekend was a prime example. Sad but true, I carry a clumsy gene, big time. I love to make my own hot chocolate blend, and I was down to the final few teaspoons and really wasn’t in the mood to go out and shop. It was Sunday, and I was in my sweats, no makeup and hair looking like I’d been to the  beach and let Mother Nature style my hair with those strong winds.  So in my infinite wisdom, I thought why not make a final cup for the weekend, I can always shop after work tomorrow. So I made a big mug and set it down while I got the laundry out of the dryer to fold. What I didn’t notice as I was setting the basket down was that one sock fell out. Directly into my mug. Do you know how absorbent a sports sock is? Apparently very. So when I came back to turn on the tube and catch the latest on Sandy and relax with my hot cocoa, I had one very chocolate sock and not much left in the mug. Altogether now…..ewwwwwwww.

   To answer your first question, no, I did not wring it out. It’s in the washer, and today I head out to pick up fresh supplies and stock up for the week. Ever done anything silly in your kitchen? Tell me about it, and I’ll have a special gift for you from the Kelly’s Kitchen Collection, and send it along to ann.kelly@coxmg.com. I don’t want to feel alone as a major klutz! Just in case you’d like to have that recipe for your own cocoa…enjoy!

SUGAR FREE HOT CHOCOLATE RECIPE

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder- my personal preference is Hershey’s Dark Chocolate

2 cups sugar free sweetener (an equal amount of sugar can be used)

4 cups non-fat powdered milk

3/4 cup sugar free creamer (use plain, or make a special batch with the flavored creamers)

Dash of salt - this brings out the flavor, but omit it you wish

I mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl. One helpful hint – I then put the blend into my Magic Bullet about a cup or so at a time, and create a fine powder. Dissolves much better that way. Your food processor works great too. For even more flavor, take a teaspoon of sugar free powdered creamer in your favorite flavor. Use 2 heaping tablespoons per cup of cocoa mix for an eight ounce cup. I tend to make this in a triple batch and just store in a nice, airtight container. Save some money and make your own! 

Approximately 70 calories per serving

EVENT ALERT!

It's the newly improved Hyde Park Fresh Market this Sunday, with more vendors, and now that they have closed the street around the market area, it's much easier to move around and see all there is to see and enjoy. Hyde Park Marketing Director Jocelyn Brenner told Kelly’s Kitchen: “Shoppers have been asking for more vendors for a while now and there’s also been a waiting list for vendors, but we were maxed out on space.  Closing the street was really the next step. Shoppers can stroll freely through the streets without worrying about traffic and our merchant storefronts will now be more visible to shoppers.” I'll let you know what I think here in Kelly's Kitchen next week.

 WORDS OF WISDOM FROM KELLY’S KITCHEN

“I wear brown shirts to protect against the combination of coffee and clumsiness.
” -  Jarod Kintz, This Book Has No Title