February is the month for Amor and Mexican Chocolate

[Debbwl]

February is the month of love and the food most associated with love is chocolate which traces its roots back to the Olmec.

The botanical name for chocolate is Theobroma, which means "food of the gods". The name is appropriate for the importance of chocolate in the Mexican culture. Chocolate is among the many things the Spaniards acquired from the Aztecs. The native Aztec people made a variety of drinks using chocolate with combined with honey, nuts, seeds, and spices. The drinks were used in rituals by priests as well by nobleman. While many historic references are made to the Aztecs and chocolate, the Aztecs actually adopted the use of chocolate from the earlier Mayan Culture.

Mexican chocolate has stuck close to its Yucatán roots in that it is made with roasted and ground cacao nibs, sugar, cinnamon, almond and vanilla. Other spices such as nutmeg, allspice and chilies are sometimes used as well. While Mexican chocolate tends to be granular in texture then the well-known Swiss and Belgian chocolates it does come to a creamy finish due to the cocoa butter it contains.

Today, royalty and common folk alike consume chocolate in an astounding variety of forms. It appears whipped into froth using a moinillo as either a breakfast or late night drink however can also be found in main dishes such as the mole sauces of Puebla and Oaxaca.

One ounce semisweet chocolate, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1 drop almond extract can be substituted for 1 ounce Mexican chocolate if need be.

Here is a small sampling of the Mexican Chocolate Recipes posted to Food.com

Braised Chicken With Oaxacan Mole
Chocolate Chili
Chicken Enchiladas Mole'
Cinnamon-Grilled Bananas With Mexican Chocolate
Mexican Chocolate Cream Cheese Flan
Mexican Hot Chocolate
Pike Place Market Mocha
Champurrado, or Chocolate Atole
All 84 Mexican Chocolate Recipes

What is your favorite Mexican Chocolate Recipe?
Do you have a fun or funny story involving Mexican Chocolate?
What about a Romantic story? Remember this is a G rated site

[Mama's Kitchen (Hope)]

What an amazing post!

[:(]

Back when Bill and I were dating, we drove about 20 miles (one way) in freezing icy conditions to go to an ice cream parlor that was known to have Mexican Chocolate ice cream, and that was why we went.
We are dedicated foodies still...
Love me some Mexican chocolate!

[Debbwl]

Aaaaa see it was true love!!


Love your love story Sue thanks so much for sharing

[PaulaG]

Ohhhh chocolate. One of my favorite food groups. Here is one of my favorite recipes using Mexican Chocolate:

Braised Chicken With Oaxacan Mole

The recipe was given to me by a friend and every time I make it I think of her.

[Debbwl]

Paula that sounds wonderful