Holiday tamales as much about family as food

Atole
Adapted from a recipe by Maria Guadalupe Rocha, owner of La Finca Tortilleria.

Atole is a warm drink made thick with masa, and is a staple during the holidays.

1 gallon water
1 stick cinnamon
5 small cubes piloncillo (natural coned shaped sugar from Mexico)
1 pound masa, for tortilla
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Boil the water with cinnamon and piloncillo. Slowly stir in the masa and add the condensed milk. Continue stirring and add vanilla. Stir until atole thickens and boils, approximately 15 minutes. (Mixture needs to be continuously stirred, if not the atole will stick to the pot and burn.

Pour into ceramic bowls and serve with tamales.

MORE FROM HOLIDAY GUIDE

Holiday Guide Section Front

Zuzu still believes ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ Perry Como’s ‘Jingle Bells’ top ringtone Spicing up your holiday sex life Festivus poles now are for the rest of us Christmas ‘Yule Log’ — regular and Hi-Def Tamales as much about family as food Brenda Lee still ‘Rockin’ Christmas’ Stocking stuffers: Sock away these gems 10 children’s tomes for the holidays DVDs make perfect stocking stuffers Holiday Guide Section Front   Add Holiday Guide headlines to your news reader: