Nutella Milk: stovetop edition.

If you've been reading Snackreligious for a while, you know I've been on the search for a hot chocolate-like concoction I call Nutella Milk. I call it that because it should contain Nutella, the delicious hazelnut spread, and milk. They don't mix together well when the milk is cold, because the Nutella chills into clumps, and a neighborhood coffee shop had failed to make a satisfactory version with hazelnut syrup, so I've been back to the drawing board a few time.

Okay, so I can't pat myself on the back too much. Anyone could think of and do what I just tried. I simply guessed that the secret to a tasty Nutella milk that was fully blended would be in heating the milk and Nutella together. Anna came to this same conclusion in commenting on one of those earlier posts linked above. Heating them often makes two things come together, after all. So I tried doing just that.

Turns out I (and Anna, and everyone else who thought this might work) was right. Here's the trick (and it's so simplistic, it can't really be called a trick):

Big Mug Nutella Milk
1 1/4 c. milk
1 T. Nutella Hazelnut Spread (Naturally, you can use more or less Nutella to taste.)

Combine ingredients. Lick measuring tablespoon. Heat milk and Nutella mixture in a small pan on the stove over low heat. Stir or whisk occasionally. The Nutella should melt and be combined, though it might look a little grainy, after about 3 minutes. Remove from heat. For smoother texture, use immersion blender on low speed (and be careful not to splash yourself). Pour into a heat-proof mug.

See how easy that is?

I'm still working on how best to prepare this beverage by microwave. Do NOT put a mug of milk and Nutella in the microwave, set it to cook on high for 3 minutes, and then walk away. I learned this so that you don't have to.

Oh, and also -- I'm aware it's summer and you may not be drinking many hot beverages (though I have heard that hot tea is considered cooling in some cultures). So you want cold Nutella milk? Heat Nutella and milk using "my" stovetop method. Then chill your mug in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes. When it is cold, decant into a more appropriate glass, if that will make you feel cooler. Add ice, if you like that idea. Whatever you do, drink it!