Easy and Delicious Real Hot Chocolate

For those cold winter days! Or any other time, if you're a chocolate lover like I am. (Adapted from an Ina Garten recipe.)

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Serves: 5

Ingredients

• 2 1⁄2 cups  whole milk
• 2  cups half-and-half
• 4  ounces  semisweet chocolate (chips are fine)
• 4  ounces  milk chocolate, chopped (chips are fine)
• 1  teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1  vanilla bean, seeds scraped
•  vanilla bean (to garnish)

Directions

1. Combine milk and half-and-half, heat on medium until just below simmering.
2. Remove pan from heat and add all chocolate. When melted, add sugar, vanilla extract and vanilla bean seeds. Whisk together until well combined.
3. Return pan to stove on low, reheating gently. Serve immediately in mugs, using vanilla bean to garnish.
4. Note: Use any type of chocolate you like. White chocolate is wonderful, and so is Mexican chocolate. Blending chocolate types is also fun and delicious.
5. Note: Cinnamon sticks are a nice garnish, as well.
6. Note: Add about three or four tablespoons of dark rum if you want to make this a delicious adult beverage.