Chocolat

Ingredients:

3 1/2 ounces Bittersweet chocolate (of fine quality)
3 1/2 ounces Semi-Sweet chocolate (of fine quality)
2 Cups Half and Half
1 Cup water
2 1/2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 Tablespoon vanilla bean (optional)

Directions:

Chop chocolate finely and set aside. Combine Half and Half, cocoa, water and vanilla bean (if using), bring to just a boil, but as soon as it reaches the boiling point, reduce heat to a simmer. Add chopped chocolate. Stir until all the chocolate is melted (you can use a hand mixer directly in the saucepan if you like), or put into a blender. If you didn't blend it with either the hand mixer or the blender, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer and allow to cool just a bit before serving. If you need to reheat, reheat in the pan, but never boil it.