It seems to be a Pacific Northwest thing to have an impromptu rainy season in June. This doesn’t happen every year, but it does happen. I celebrated my 33nd birthday earlier this month and I can definitely say that I remember having as many cloudy birthdays and sunny ones, being a PNW kid. However, I would never refer to them as dreary. If the sky needs to rain itself out, let it do so. The sun will be back, I promise.

What a magnificent thing it is to be witnessing the world changing right now! It may be troubling and painful at times, but think how much stronger and wiser we all are now than we were two weeks ago, or two months ago.

While we look forward to better times ahead, might I suggest this adventurous yet comforting recipe:

Hot Dark Chocolate with Basil

2 mugfuls milk (or milk substitute)
Dark chocolate (approx. 2 oz of bar chocolate or chocolate chip morsels, or 4 tablespoons cocoa powder, just make sure it’s at least 70% cacao)
4 leaves fresh basil
Sweetener (optional, useful if you are using unsweetened chocolate)

Stovetop Instructions:

Heat milk with basil in a double boiler on low to medium heat.
Add chocolate. If you are using a chocolate bar, be sure to chop it up.
Whisk until the chocolate is thoroughly melted and combined.
Remove basil, pour into mugs, sweeten to taste, and enjoy.

Microwave Instructions:
Follow stovetop instructions, but make sure to chop your chocolate extra fine. And remember to remove the mixture to whisk it every 30 seconds.

~ Hilary (a.k.a. Peanut Butter)