The Milo Has Disappeared

When I came down to the kitchen this morning in the dark, I saw two little people in their nightgowns flitting back and forward in the pantry.

My two middle children like to come down and make themselves a Milo when they get up in the morning. Turns out the milo has disappeared. I usually suspect Alice who seems to have a voracious appetite for chocolate. When the milo has disappeared in the past I usually find her tucked away in a corner licking the milo tin, or pushing her little chubby fingers into the open milo packet and then into her mouth. There's usually a big mess around her as a result.

However, I know this time that she is not the milo thief. I had a baby-lock put on the Milo drawer last week.

I think it's my fault the Milo has gone - I forgot to pick some up at the grocery store.

But all is not lost!
(Feeling like Ma Ingalls), I told them that it was ok - I can make Cocoa.
"What is Cocoa?" they asked me.
"It's like Milo, only yummier and it's made the old-fashioned way. In a pot."

They were all big eyes as I pulled out my old Hershey's Cookbook (bought in the USA), which I haven't used for years, and when I do, it's to make some elaborate birthday cake. But I have made the cocoa before. It's quite sweet, but I cut down on the sugar (I do find American recipes rather heavy on the sugar - so I usually add much less than suggested).

The verdict: "It's delicious"!!!
The great thing is that I don't have to dash out today in the freezing cold to buy Milo. I just pour a little of this concentrate cocoa into the bottom of the cup, add hot water and a dash of milk at the end.

Here's the recipe.

Hot Cocoa - made the old-fashioned way.

3 TBSP Sugar ( I only used 2 TBSP)
2 TBSP Cocoa
Dash of Salt
3/4 cup Water
1 cup Milk

In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa and salt; stir in the water and blend until the lumps are gone.
Cook over a low heat, stirring constantly until mixture boils. Boil and stir for 2 minutes. Add milk and keep over low heat a few more seconds. Do not boil. Remove from heat. Store in a cute little red gingham jug in the fridge and use as needed.