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!

Col-Pops with Paul: A Photo Essay

The BBQ in "BBQ Chicken" does not stand for barbecue. This Korean chain found in 37 countries serves "Best of the Best Quality chicken."



Paul sent me a link to this article on BBQ's most inventive invention (and, to me, the only real reason to go there): the Col-Pop. Our trip there today was like attending a mildly exhilarating, mostly fascinating, slightly tamer-than-expected luncheon in an unknown land.



Col-Pops begin as medium or large cups of soda/pop/soft drink (though just one can of the beverage is used to fill your cup, regardless of whether you're getting a medium or large Col-Pop) and ice. Choose your flavor from the fridge and hand it to the employee behind the counter as you order.

Next, fried food is prepared in medium or large quantity, according to your order, and placed in a plastic receptacle on top of the cup (covering the soda). The straw sticks up through a special conduit so that you can eat the fried items (shrimp, chicken or "pepper munchers" at this location) while a)having full access to your straw and the soda beneath, and b)carrying everything in one container - and therefore one hand.



All the employees disappeared while our food was being made, so the process of filling the Col-Pop cups remains mysterious.

The flavor of the chicken nuggets was good (a little sweet, chewy, not "fake-tasting") but this was Paul's second trip to BBQ Chicken and he felt that the novelty of his first taste had worn off quite a bit. Plus, we sat down to eat our food while it was hot. Removing the excitement of the food's portability (i.e. not carrying it around and eating on the go) may have made us less thrilled.



I tried the "Pepper Munchers," which were cheesy and slightly spicy but neither particularly peppery (only the slightest specks of green were evident in the chopped filling of the Muncher) nor as good as the chicken.

Needed: dipping sauce. But how would that be integrated into the cup design?



p.s. One of the flags on the "Refreshing Fresh Nap Moist Towelettes" packaging pictured above is an American flag. Anyone recognize the other one?