My boys have been hit with what I’m calling The Fever Flu, a 30-hour bug that flattened all three of them (at different times, of course) and was accompanied with near 40 degree temps, aches, pains, chills, coughs, and small side of complaining, but hey, can you blame them?
Thankfully, Rob and I have managed to avoid it (my fingers and toes are all crossed it stays that way!) and right now the two of us are alternating between finishing up our work and taking care of the kids. We all start two weeks of vacation on Friday, and I plan on feeling my best so I can fully enjoy it. But before we can get to that, I promised you all a giveaway, and I’m happy to say that this week I have two of them!
I’m starting with one of my favourite finds of the past year: Ricardo magazine. I’m hooked on this pretty publication designed for the home cook, and have been faithfully reading it since the spring. The images are inspiring, the recipes simple and approachable, and the entertaining tips seem totally doable. Every time an issue lands in my mailbox, I make the time to sit and read it cover to cover, unlike some of the other magazines I’ve been subscribing to for the past few years. I like getting tiny glimpses into Ricardo’s own home kitchen, a bustling space he shares with his busy wife and three daughters, and I always finish the magazine motivated to spend even more time cooking.
There were many recipes I flagged in the recent holiday issue, but the first one I made was the hot cocoa mix. A few weeks ago, Matthew and I came home late on a Friday afternoon and I found nine boys in my house. One of the older boys had four friends over, and the other one brought three boys home from school with him. Naturally, they were on the hunt for both food and drinks. Do you know how much milk you go through when there are nine teenage boys in the house? A few days' worth in one shot, especially when you make them all hot chocolate. The fix, of course, is to keep a jar of mix on hand – ideally one that can be made with boiling water, if desired. I made a jar immediately, and have kept it close ever since, simply because we all adore it.
All of this is to say, I want one of you to enjoy reading Ricardo as much as I do - and trying the recipes! - which is why I’m giving away a one-year subscription to a Family Bites reader. I want you to feel just as inspired to bring people together with food as I do, and hopefully this will help.
We’re all busy right now so entering the giveaway couldn’t be easier: just leave a comment. Any comment about anything you feel like talking about it! And in the meantime, make some hot cocoa to have on hand just in case you have a few people to feed in the coming weeks.
This giveaway is open to all legal residents of Canada who have reached the age of majority at the time of the contest in the province or territory in which they reside. Void in Quebec. Winner must answer a skill-testing question. No purchase necessary to enter. Giveaway will run from Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at 12:01am to Friday, December 18, 2015 at 11:59pm. Winner will be contacted via email.
Hot Cocoa Mix
Makes approx. 4 cups
In a food processor, pulse all the ingredients until the chocolate is cut into thin pieces. Spoon it into a lidded jar and keep at room temperature for a few weeks.
To make hot chocolate, combine 3 Tbsp. of the mix with 3/4 cups warm milk or boiling water and stir well. Top with marshmallows and serve immediately.
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Update: A winner has been selected and contacted via email. Congratulations, Cathy!