STILL Two Things: Recipe Contest & Hot Tip for Hot Cocoa

THING # 1: Wonderful readers, just another reminder about the recipe contest going on: Thanks to all those that have sent your favorite recipe featuring asparagus, and to those that mean to, but haven't as yet, hustle hustle. Get it in. We'll be announcing the two lucky winners of the Cook'n Recipe Organizer Software Version 10 on Monday. This product lists for $99 and sells for $79 on the Cook'n website (www.dvo.com), so you know this prize is a screamin' cool deal!

THING # 2: We have a hot tip for your hot cocoa: Whenever you have any extra hot cocoa (or make extra so you can do this), or whenever you have any leftover chocolate milk (or buy a quart so you can do this), freeze it in an ice cube tray(s).

Then the next time you serve up this wonderful wintertime treat, and it's scalding hot, just pop a couple chocolate ice cubes in the mug. The cocoa will cool down enough to start drinking right away. AND, as the cubes melt, they'll add to (rather than dilute) the flavor.

Another thing we've done, cocoa-wise, is to melt chocolate chips and thin them with milk, and then pour that chocolatey goodness into ice cube trays. You can see where we're going with this. You can freeze all sorts of things that would add a nice flavor to your cocoa:

• Marshmallow creme
• Melted and thinned WHITE chocolate chips
• Peppermint-flavored cream (you add drops of peppermint to a quart of cream--to your taste)
• Almond-flavored cream (same deal--add drops of almond extract to a quart of cream--top your taste)
• Etc.? What would YOU add?

The beauty and fun of cocoa is how easy it is to make and how adaptable to your creativity it is. Bring the kiddies into this and see what they come up with as well.

SO, let's join the contest and enjoy a delicious hot mug of cocoa while we're making family dinner possible!

STILL Two Things: Recipe Contest & Hot Tip for Hot Cocoa