Chocolate Rice Porridge For our Aeta Students

Planning, preparing, dining, and sharing food are integral to cooking. Because it sustains both our bodily and emotional, and spiritual well-being, food is at the core of what makes us human. Food is a cultural phenomenon that shapes our customs and connection to the environment. Food unites all of us.

Yesterday, my coworkers and I made Chocolate Rice Porridge, often called "Champorado," in our community.

Champorado is another popular Filipino dish. Interestingly, its origins are in Mexico.

It's rainy season again, and champurrado, a traditional Filipino delicacy, is currently at the top of the list. Although this is typically consumed as a merienda(afternoon snack) or for breakfast,

Its three essential components are water, sticky or glutinous rice, and cocoa powder. Some people make champurrado sweet by adding sugar, but I prefer to add it to my evaporated milk right before eating.

What ingredients are used:

Any chocolate powder (much preferable) or cocoa powder (3–4 teaspoons)
(3–4 teaspoons) of sugar
Milk that has evaporated
Rice, 1 cup
Water
This is optional, although it pairs well with the champorado: tuyo & dilis (dried fish).

How to make this:

1. Rice should be placed in a saucepan after being washed with water. Then fill your pot with water, about half full.

2. Simmer it until the rice has already begun to cook. After that, combine the sugar and cocoa or chocolate powder in a separate bowl so the rice may quickly absorb it.

3. Simmer, then keep adding water until the consistency thickens and balances once it has reached a very liquidy texture. Neither too thick nor too watery.

4. This will feed approximately 5–10 people and take 20–30 minutes to cook.

5. Champurrado should be placed in a bowl with sugar, evaporated milk, and milk on top.

Once more, this is incredibly simple to create if you have a chocolate craving, especially if it is already the rainy season where you live, as it is in the Philippines. Given that the Champorado's heat will help you cope with the cold.

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They adore the chocolate rice porridge, so we are happy to be able to provide them with even the most basic meal we have.

One can connect over food. It serves as a link to another location. The relationship between us as teachers and the pupils at the school is forged during shared meals. Along with sharing the same ancestry, people who care for one another also share a common legacy.

Food! The foundation of practically all interpersonal interactions and partnerships is shared food. Sharing meals or a meal with others has a ton of advantages.
It fosters trust among those who eat the same meal together. Decisions may be made, agreements reached more quickly, and you are more likely to respect one another and find working together simple.

Subconsciously, eating the same thing as someone else signals them, "This food is safe, and I will eat it with you."

I really hope you all enjoy the recipe I've given you. Have a pleasant day everyone! :)