Perfect for a Rainy Day

The rainy season has made a comeback in this side of the world. And while citizens from the Americas are still soaking up the sun in their little bikinis, we're trudging through rain soaked (or flooded) streets to get to work or school. I think all of us are hoping that the storms that are about to pass through are nothing like Typhoon Ondoy. That's an experience we'd rather be without.

But let's not dwell on the dreary aspects of the rainy season. Rain clouds are dreary enough for all of us. Instead, let's talk about something that I find cheers everybody up whenever it's brought up: food!

Rainy days usually remind me of one thing: Champorado. Watching the heavy downpour from the window and hearing the quick rush of the wind through the trees always makes me think of how rainy days were back where I grew up. It's grown to be my kind of comfort food. It's the food I can't help remembering during cold days when the sky is grey and there's nothing else to do but wait for the rain to pass.

Champorado, according to the not-all-that-reliable Wikipedia, is a chocolate rice porridge. It's warm, it's chocolatey, it's gooey, and it's delicious. With a dash of milk and a teaspoon of sugar mixed in, my taste buds are ready to rock and roll.

Best eaten with Tuyo, in my opinion. There's something about the contrasting flavors of the sweet chocolate and the salty dried fish that just seem to go together, I really can't explain it. I have a special way of eating this combo, too. Developed through years of practice, of course. A lot of people have their own methods of partaking of this delectable treat, but I think mine is the best. And it comes in three easy steps!

Step 1. Scrape off the scales of the Tuyo and pick apart into little bits.

Step 2. Drop the little pieces into the Champorado.

Step 3. Mix the Champorado and watch the little pieces disappear. 

And eat! The eating becomes more exciting because you never really know if you've gotten a bite of Tuyo until you've tasted the salty surprise. Awesome, right? 

Champorado is awesome all on its own, but what makes it such an amazing snack for me is the warm, fuzzy feeling it brings with every bowl. 

How about you? What's your favorite comfort food?