Atole de Nuez {She Made/Ella Hace}



It's beginning to feel a lot like Winter here in Mexico!  Even though the cold weather and I don't really get along, I love all of the hearty, comforting foods we crave to keep us warm, like soups and atoles.

Atoles are a traditional Mexican hot beverage made with milk and/or water and thickened slightly with cornstarch or masa harina.

In most tienditas and markets, you can buy little packets of flavored cornstarch to make atole.  But atoles taste even better when made from scratch with plain, unflavored cornstarch.  And they're just as easy to make.  And that's exactly what Girlichef and I decided to make for She Made / Ella Hace this month.

Atoles can be made in a variety of flavors like strawberry, guava, coconut, pineapple, cookie, cajeta (caramel) and even pumpkin pie.  My  favorite is Atole de Nuez (Pecan Atole).  A simple, creamy and frothy atole blanco (white atole), flavored with tiny pieces of toasted pecans.

Drinking a cup of Atole is like curling up on the couch with your favorite blanket.  It instantly warms you up inside and leaves you feeling happy and relaxed, oblivious to the cold, dreary weather outside.  The ultimate comfort beverage.

Atole is also the perfect drink to serve alongside your Rosca de Reyes.


Atole de Nuez



Atole de Nuez
(Pecan Atole)

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup pecan halves
  • 5 cups milk
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar
  • 4 tablespoons cornstarch (aka cornflour)
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond or pecan extract (optional) 

Directions:
Toast the pecans in a small skillet over medium heat or 2 to 3 minutes, being extra careful not to burn them.

Puree the pecans in a blender with 4 cups of milk.

Heat the pecan milk in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until very warm.  (If you don't stir the atole constantly, the pecans with settle at the bottom of the saucepan and burn, which will result in a horrible tasting atole.)  Reduce heat to low and stir in the sugar.  Combine the cornstarch and the remaining cup of milk and pour into the hot milk.  Continue to simmer, still stirring constantly, over low heat until the mixture thickens.  Remove from heat.  If you want a stronger, nuttier flavor, stir in the almond or pecan extract.

Ladle into mugs and garnish with a pecan half.  Enjoy!!!

Atole de Nuez_Pecan Atole


Be sure to check out Girlichef's Vanilla-Almond Atole!

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12 comments

  1. Okay, pecan atole is on the menu for the weekend...it sounds SO good! You're so right, it's total comfort. Even better...actually curling up with your favorite blanket on the couch WITH a cup of atole ;P I always love cooking w/ you, mi amiga...salud!

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  2. Wow! That looks great! I've never heard of this version. I love warm beverages in the winter. Thank you for sharing this...

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  3. I visualize myself in bed, having a steaming mug of atole, and then... sweet dreams...Thank you!!!

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  4. Leslie, I need to try atole de nuez. love,love atole and your picture makes me crave it even more. Thanks for another great recipe!!

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  5. yes, this would be great to warm you up on a cold winter day, and I do love anything with pecan flavoring... hope you had a wonderful New Years...

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  6. Wow! I've tasted many atoles (just made amaranth, in fact), but never pecan. Thanks so much for this recipe. Can't wait to try it.

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  7. Wow! I've tasted many atoles (just made amaranth, if fact), but never pecan. Can't wait to try it! Thanks.

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  8. I've never tasted a pecan atole, but I bet its amazing! I'm so gonna make this for our Día de la Candelaria dinner. YUM!

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  9. OMG I love the she made ella hace idea that is so cute!!! I wish I wasnt so dang lazy in the kitchen these days or I would make this. I think Im gonna buy the packet. lol I still love your blog even though I hardly ever have time to read it.

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  10. Hola Leslie, So glad I stopped by your blog, loving all of your recetas and stories. This atole would really help warm me up. I remember my mom's homemade and it was so perfect with a concha for breakfast. I'll have to make your recipe soon because the craving is starting to hit me hard.

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  11. My 4 year old is such an adventerous drinker (yikes, that doesn't sound good!) but really she loves to try new things. Most likely because her regular beverages are usually just water and some smoothies so I may have to make this for her! She's currently obsessed with cafe con leche and hot chocolate (not together!).

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  12. OMG!!! Voy a hacer atole!!! Se necesita para este clima "frío" hongkonés! jajaja (de 14 y 17C) Saludos!

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