Creamy Hot Cocoa

What you need:
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup white sugar
1 pinch salt
1/3 cup boiling water
3 ½ cups milk
¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup half-and-half cream
saucepan
bowl
rubber spatula
What you do:
1. Combine the cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt in a saucepan.
2. Blend in the boiling water.
3. Bring this mixture to an easy boil while you stir. Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes.
4. Stir in 3 ½ cups of milk and heat until very hot, but do not boil!
5. Remove from heat and add vanilla.
6. Divide between 4 mugs.
7. Add the cream to the mugs of cocoa to cool it to drinking temperature.
8. Serve.  Garnish with whipped cream if desired.