Mexican Atole

Place the water and the masa into the jar of a blender and blend until smooth. Transfer to a medium sized saucepan. Scrape the seeds of the vanilla bean into the pan and add the cinnamon stick. Stir the mixture until it begins to thicken. Add the piloncillo or (or sugar, molasses combination) and continue to stir vigorously until the sugar is dissolved. Remove the mixture from the heat.

At this point you could add pureed fruit such as strawberries or pineapple. Remove the cinnamon stick. Stir the fruit into the mixture and return it to the stove and heat over medium heat until the mixture is warmed. Remove the vanilla bean and serve hot, in mugs.