Saveur

Photo: Andre Baranowski

(Atol de Elote)

MAKES 4 SERVINGS

This version of the classic Central American sweet and silky-smooth beverage is based on a recipe from Maria Franco, a Salvadoran cook in Los Angeles.

5 ears of yellow corn
3 cups milk
1 cup sugar
2  3"-long cinnamon sticks
Kosher salt

1. Using a knife, remove the kernels from the corn and transfer them to a blender. (Discard cobs.) Add 1⁄2 cup of the milk and purée until completely smooth, 2–3 minutes.

2. Transfer the corn purée to a medium pot, add remaining 2 1⁄2 cups milk, sugar, cinnamon sticks, and a pinch of salt, and stir well. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat while stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring constantly, until mixture is slightly thickened, about 15 minutes. Divide between cups and serve hot.

This article was first published in Saveur in Issue #108