Atole Hot Cornmeal Beverage Recipes

MEXICAN ATOLE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan combine masa harina, water, milk, piloncillo (or brown sugar), and cinnamon. Whisk the mixture to combine. Bring it to a simmer over medium high heat, whisking often.
• Reduce the heat to medium and simmer the mixture for 5-10 minutes, whisking often, until your desired consistency is reached.
• Remove the atole from the heat and whisk in the vanilla.
• Serve hot or warm with a pinch of cinnamon to garnish.

MEXICAN-STYLE ATOLE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups water with the piloncillo, cinnamon and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally until the piloncillo is fully dissolved.
• While the mixture comes to a boil, whisk together the milk and masa harina in a large measuring cup.
• Once the water is boiling, reduce heat to medium. Add the milk mixture gradually, whisking continually to ensure the masa doesn't clump or sink to the bottom. Cook the atole, whisking constantly, until it is thick enough to evenly coat the back of a wooden spoon, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat and discard cinnamon stick. Serve while hot, and dust with ground cinnamon as a garnish, if desired.

MEXICAN ATOLE

Steps:

• Place the masa, water, cinnamon and piloncillo in a blender. Blend until smooth, about 3 minutes.
• Pour the contents of the blender into a sauce pan and bring the mixture to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. When the mixture reaches a boil, turn the heat to low and continue to whisk for 5 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour into mugs and serve hot.

ATOLE DE FRESA

Steps:

• Combine the milk, sugar (or piloncillo) and salt in a small pot and over medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar or piloncillo has fully dissolved.
• Add the masa harina to a medium bowl and add the hot water, 1 cup at a time, whisking to combine until smooth with no lumps.
• If using fresh strawberries, add 1 to 2 cups of the milk mixture to a blender with the strawberries and blend until smooth. Set aside.
• Whisk the masa mixture into the pot with milk and allow it to come to a simmer on medium-low, while whisking to avoid lumps. Once simmering, cook for 2 to 3 minutes and turn off the heat.
• Whisk in the strawberry powder (or purée) and beet powder, if using, until fully combined. Taste for sweetness and adjust as necessary. It will continue to thicken as it cools. Serve immediately. (Reheat in a pot over low heat or in a microwave, adding a splash of milk to loosen, if necessary. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.)

ATOLE DE ZARZAMORAS (BLACKBERRY ATOLE)

Steps:

• In a saucepot over high heat, bring the water to a boil with the piloncillo and sugar until they are dissolved. Add the masa and whisk so it dissolves and doesn't form any lumps. Let thicken.
• Purée the blackberries in a food processor, add to the mixture, and cook for a couple of minutes; do not boil too long or the drink will lose color and that fresh blackberry flavor. Enjoy it while it's warm. If you have any left over it will thicken quite a bit; you can store it in the refrigerator and simply add a bit of water to the mixture when you reheat it.

ATOLE - HOT CORNMEAL BEVERAGE

Steps:

• In saucepan stir together 1/2 cup of the milk, tortilla flour, and 1/2 cup water.
• Cook and stir over low heat till thickened and bubbly.
• Blend in remaining 1 1/2 cups milk, sugar, salt, and vanilla; heat through.
• Serve hot atole in mugs; sprinkle with ground cinnamon or place a cinnamon stick in each mug.
• Makes 6 (4-ounce) servings.