Ciambellone al Cioccolato and Milk with Mint and Chocolate

A simple, classic, homemade Italian breakfast.  

That's what I decided to prepare the day after I saw Laura Ravaioli's show at Gambero Rosso where she was demonstrating how to make a ciambellone al ciocolato like how her mother used to and a glass of milk with mint syrup and chocolate.  Aside from the whole country who wouldn't say no to a breakfast like this, there is one person I wanted to prepare it for.  My other half. 

I know how the world stops for him when he sees a ciambellone on the table, morning, or whatever time of the day it is.  A ciambellone and a glass of milk is a timeless combination.  It doesn't follow any time of the day or amount that he eats.  

This cake and a glass of milk are partners.  They go together perfectly especially when you like to dunk your breakfast in a glass of milk.  A simpler ciambellone slightly flavored with lemon rind and a drink of white milk are more common but sometimes, it's nice to divert from the usual.

It can be absurd to hear that I have never had a glass of chocolate milk in my life.  To get some calcium, my Mom would force me to drink a glass a day when I was young.  It was the worst time of the day for me and my Mom.  It takes me at least an hour and a lot of prodding to drink half a glass.  I never liked the smell and taste of cow's milk and this aversion limited me to a lot of food with milk.  When I moved to Italy, I discovered almond milk.  I slowly started replacing dairy milk in all the drinks and desserts I make with almond milk like smoothies, panna cotta and a whole new world for me.  With this milk drink, I replaced the usual dairy with almond and for the first time in my life, I enjoyed a glass of milk.   If only my Mom is still around, she would have been very happy to see me finally drinking a glass of milk, even if it's almond. Today, being her birthday, I would like to give a toast to a woman who had been so patient in keeping up with me all those years. 

I hope you all enjoy your weekend and before I end this, scroll down for the recipes of both cake and drink if you are thinking of what to do for Sunday breakfast.

Buon appetito!

Ciambellone al Cioccolato & Milk with Mint & Chocolate

Adapted from Laura Ravaioli's recipe

Ciambellone al Cioccolato

Ingredients:
For a 24 cm. ring mold

• 300 g. flour (I used OO.) + more for sprinkling in the baking pan
• 275 g. sugar
• 120 g. dark chocolate
• 100 g. butter, softened + more for rubbing in the baking pan
• 150 g. milk
• 4 eggs
• 16 g. lievito in polvere (baking powder)
• pinch of salt

Directions:

1. Prepare ring mold by rubbing it with butter and sprinkling with flour.  Set aside.
2. In a bowl, sift flour and baking powder.  Set aside.
3. Melt chocolate in a bain marie or double boiler.  Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, mix whisk eggs and sugar by hand.  Add salt.  When you have a creamy light yellow mixture, add pinches (or diced) of the softened butter.  Keep on whisking.  
5. Pour melted chocolate and keep on whisking.  
6. Add flour alternately with milk.  Whisk until smooth.  Transfer to the ring mold
7. Bake for 35 minutes at a pre-heated oven of 175 degrees Celcius or until the knife you insert in the middle of the cake comes out clean.  

Milk with Mint & Chocolate

Ingredients:
For 1 glass

• cow's milk or almond milk
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• boiling water
• mint syrup
• sugar

Directions:

1. Pour a few drops of boiling water in a glass.  Add cocoa powder and mix until completely melted.  
2. Pour desired amount of milk.  Mix.
3. Add mint syrup and sugar according to taste. Mix.