DON'T EVER GET THIS BEVERAGE!!! I MEANT IT!!! I am WARNING you!!

Every once in a while I want cocoa - it doesn't even have to be winter its just one of those things. 

I used to crave one about 2-3 times a year...and then...



Caribou Coffee began melting "real Guittard® chocolate of your choice (dark, milk or white) with steamed milk and then top with whipped cream and chocolate chips to create our decadent hot chocolate."

Decadent.hot.cocoa.  Allow that to sink into your brain...mmmmmmmmmm.

Now let me describe this beverage form of chocoalte for you.

The barista hands you the steaming cup and declares,
"Medium hot chocolate with milk chocolate, skim milk, light whip and no chocolate chips?" 
Yes please! (And yes I do have to be that picky in ordering my cocoa.)
"Enjoy!"
Yes, yes I will.  I will bring the cup to my nose and breathe in the intoxicating smell of steamy hot cocoa...and I must! take a sip before all the whip cream melts away!  Ahhhhhhhh.  The chocolatey goodness and creamy whip cream are ALMOST too much for me and my knees get weak.  I need to get to the car...stat!

I take my time with my cocoa...I sip and savor every last tiny drop. 

Sometimes I even tease it with a piece of peanut butter toast. 

I pray they did remember to leave off those chocolate chips because they sink to the bottom and make for an unappetizing grainy last gulp that ruins the whole thing....

Ahhh yes, smooth delicious steamy cocoa down to the very last drippity drop. 

I highly recommend you avoid this cocoa - milk and dark are both TERRIBLE!  ;) 

p.s. I have not tried white...that just ain't cocoa!
p.p.s. I seriously avoid Caribou Coffee as much as possible now because it is TOO tempting!
p.p.s.s. Lucky Starbucks!

What went wrong?

So this morning I stopped at the Rice Street Caribou off 694 and they offered me any bakery item for $1. So I got a yummy cranberry-orange scone....and took a picture, because I am a dork!
now - all you cook-type people who read my blog.

Last night I made homemade mac n' cheese and it had sort of a 'gritty' mouthfeel. It tasted good, but I must have done something wrong...

HERE IS THE RECIPE:

1/2 cup flour
6 tablespoons butter

make a rue and add 1 quart of warmed milk

stir in 6 cups of cheese - the recipe I saw called for fontina and cheddar, but I took the opportunity to use up my cheeses so I used:

what was left of a smoked gouda, about 1/3 cup
some farmer cheese from whole foods, about a cup
Wildflower Cheddar and Cabot Vermont Sharp Cheddar for the remaining in about equal parts.

(then obviously add the cooked macaroni and bake for 30-35 minutes - the recipe also called to add tomatoes and breadcrumbs on top, but I skipped that last night.)

The question is, what caused the 'gritty' mouthfeel? Was it the combo of cheeses perhaps? Or did I over, or under, cook my rue? Is it possible that I added the milk too quickly?

Please give your opinion. I appreciate it!

In the vein of looking at the positve side...

From my house you can sometimes smell roasting coffee - no joke, I live just a mile from the Caribou Coffee HQ.

This morning I walked out to a CRISP & Sunny 5 degrees and there was a definite smell of roasting coffee beans. YUM.

Then we got to daycare and Shae was there just ahead...he got his coat off and spun around, Boo Boo La La said, "Shae, you are a SUPERHERO!" and as soon as she got off her boots and ran after him (one arm in the air) she cried out, "And I am SUPERGIRL - to the RESCUE!!!"

Fun, huh?