| Atole is a hot drink, which is very popular in Mexico | | | | "atol shuco" which means "dirty atole". This is because |
| and Central America. The word "atole" comes from | | | | their recipe for atole has gray flecks in it due to the |
| the Nahuatl word "atolli" and this drink is also known as | | | | black beans or purple cornmeal they like to add. |
| champurrado when chocolate is used to flavor it. | | | | Pumpkin seeds or ground chilies are other possible |
| Atole has a grain-like consistency and it can be thin or | | | | ingredients in atol shuco. El Salvador atole is served |
| thick. Atole recipes date back to pre-Columbian times | | | | hot, like Mexican atole recipes, but it is often a lot |
| and it is made by combining water, blocks of cane | | | | thicker because of the addition of beans. |
| sugar and corn hominy flour. Cinnamon is often added | | | | Atole is considered a comfort food in South Texas, as |
| to this mixture, along with either fruit or chocolate. The | | | | well as in the North of Mexico, and it is often enjoyed |
| atole is blended well and then warmed up. | | | | as supper or breakfast on cold days. There are other |
| Rich Chocolate Atole | | | | kinds of atole recipes in New Mexico. |
| Chocolate atole, or champurrado, is very popular and is | | | | Blue corn atole can be thinned with milk and |
| served throughout the Christmas season. Fruit atole | | | | sweetened with sugar, then served warm. This is a |
| and chocolate atole are served on November 1, which | | | | grainy drink with the consistency of porridge. Legend |
| is Day of the Dead. Some atole recipes suggest | | | | has it that the elders would enjoy this drink because it |
| topping the drink with fruit puree rather than combining | | | | gave them energy. Nursing mothers also believe it |
| it, but that is down to your personal preference. | | | | enhances their milk flow. |
| Tamales are usually served with atole. | | | | Mexican champurrado often contains anise seeds, |
| If you want to try champurrado, you can get a | | | | vanilla, or cinnamon to give it a rich flavor. A molinillo, |
| powdered atole from Mexican grocery stores and you | | | | which is a wooden whisk, is used to whip up the |
| add water or milk to it. You can also get it in Mexican | | | | champurrado and make it frothy. Mexicans enjoy a |
| restaurants. Nothing beats the real thing, of course, and | | | | cup of champurrado in the morning with their churros. |
| making atole or champurrado yourself at home is the | | | | Because these drinks are thick, rich, and sweet, they |
| best way to sample this tasty Mexican dessert in a | | | | can be served instead of dessert. If you like hot |
| glass. | | | | chocolate, you will love the richness of champurrado. |
| Atole in Other Countries | | | | You can also try some fruit atole recipes. |
| People from El Salvador, in Central America, make an | | | | |