Atole (Cornmeal Drink)

Atole is also known as atol and atol de elote. It's a traditional hot corn- and masa-based beverage of Meso-American origin. Chocolate atole is known as champurrado or atole. It is typically accompanied with tamales and is very popular during the Christmas holiday season (Las Posadas).

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Masa Harina
• 5 cups milk
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon or 1 stick cinnamon, finely slivered
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Put the Masa Harina in a bowl and whisk in the milk, little by little. Pour the milk mixture into a pot and add the brown sugar and cinnamon. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly, to keep it from becoming lumpy.
2. Stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Serve in mugs.

Notes

Pineapple Atole

Follow the basic, but omit the cinnamon. After the mixture has thickened and has been removed from the heat, add 1 small can crushed pineapple, undrained.

Strawberry Atole

Follow the basic, but omit the cinnamon. After the mixture has thickened and has been removed from the heat, add 2 cups fresh strawberries that have been hulled, washed and crushed.