Ube Champorado is a creamy and comforting Filipino breakfast porridge made with sweet rice and ube (purple yam). This twist on the traditional champorado replaces chocolate with mashed ube, creating a vibrant, sweet, and velvety dish. It’s perfect for a cozy breakfast, snack, or even a sweet dessert. Topped with crispy vegan bacon and coconut milk, it’s a delicious and comforting dish that is sure to please.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 cup sweet rice (also called sticky rice or glutinous rice)

• 4 cups water

• 1 cup coconut milk (full-fat canned)

• ½ cup sugar (adjust to taste)

• 1 cup mashed ube (fresh or frozen)

• Optional: ½-1 tsp ube extract

• Optional: pinch of sea salt

• Vegan condensed milk or evaporated milk (for topping)

• Crispy vegan bacon (for topping)

Directions

1. Prepare the Rice: Rinse the sweet rice until the water runs clear. Add it to a medium-sized pot with 4 cups of fresh water. Bring to a boil over medium heat.

2. Simmer the Rice: Lower the heat to a simmer and cook uncovered for about 15 minutes, or until the sweet rice is fluffy and almost cooked.

3. Add the Ingredients: Add coconut milk, sugar, mashed ube, and optional ube extract and salt to the pot. Stir to combine and cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the mixture to thicken and become creamy.

4. Taste and Adjust: Taste the champorado and adjust the sweetness if needed.

5. Serve: Ladle the porridge into bowls. Top with more coconut milk, vegan condensed milk, or vegan evaporated milk, and garnish with crispy vegan bacon. Serve hot.

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: 300 kcal (approx.)

• Carbohydrates: 45g

• Protein: 4g

• Fat: 12g

• Saturated Fat: 8g

• Cholesterol: 0mg

• Sodium: 50mg

• Potassium: 180mg

• Fiber: 3g

• Sugar: 18g

This creamy Ube Champorado is the perfect dish to start your day or indulge in as a dessert, offering a lovely balance of sweetness and savory flavors!

What Makes Ube Champorado Special?

The key difference between traditional champorado and Ube Champorado lies in the main flavor component—ube. Ube is a type of purple yam that is commonly used in Filipino desserts. It has a mild, sweet flavor and a striking purple color that makes it both delicious and visually stunning. Ube has gained international popularity for its unique taste and vibrant hue, making it an exciting ingredient to explore in both traditional and modern recipes.

In this variation of champorado, the ube is mashed and stirred into the porridge, creating a rich, creamy texture. The coconut milk adds a lush, velvety consistency and tropical flair, enhancing the dish’s overall creaminess. This twist brings a refreshing change to a beloved Filipino classic, providing an unforgettable sensory experience.

The Comfort of Champorado

Champorado has long been a comforting breakfast choice in the Philippines. Traditionally, it is a warm porridge made with sticky rice and chocolate, often served during colder weather or on rainy mornings. The comforting, rich texture of the porridge paired with the sweetness of the chocolate provides both warmth and satisfaction, making it a perfect start to the day.

In Ube Champorado, the sweet rice, or glutinous rice, is still the star, maintaining the dish’s signature comforting texture. Sweet rice is sticky and soft, and when cooked, it becomes a warm, satisfying base that holds the other ingredients beautifully. The addition of ube and coconut milk transforms this traditional dish into something luxurious, both in flavor and texture.

How to Make Ube Champorado

Making Ube Champorado is a straightforward process that doesn’t require advanced cooking skills. The first step is to rinse the sweet rice to remove excess starch, ensuring the porridge becomes soft and fluffy. Once the rice is ready, it is simmered with water until it becomes tender. Afterward, coconut milk, mashed ube, and sugar are added to the pot, where they are stirred together and simmered until everything is well combined and creamy.

The optional ube extract and a pinch of sea salt can be added for those who want to deepen the ube flavor or enhance the overall taste. The ube extract intensifies the natural flavor of the yam, while the salt helps balance the sweetness and round out the dish’s complexity.

Once the mixture thickens to your desired consistency, the champorado is ready to be served. It can be ladled into bowls and topped with a generous drizzle of coconut milk or vegan condensed milk. The crispy vegan bacon provides a delightful contrast, offering a savory element that pairs beautifully with the rich, creamy porridge.

Coconut Milk: Adding Creaminess and Flavor

Coconut milk plays a vital role in Ube Champorado. It adds a luxurious, silky texture to the porridge while also contributing to its tropical flavor. Coconut milk is known for its rich, creamy consistency, which complements the ube’s natural sweetness and enhances the dish’s overall flavor profile.

In addition to its flavor, coconut milk also brings a healthy dose of fats, which help create a satisfying, full-bodied porridge. It’s the perfect balance of creamy and indulgent, making this dish feel comforting yet not overly heavy.

For those who prefer a more traditional version of champorado, you can use dairy milk or condensed milk. However, coconut milk serves as an excellent vegan-friendly substitute, providing a dairy-free alternative without sacrificing flavor or creaminess.

The Role of Crispy Vegan Bacon

One of the standout features of Ube Champorado is the addition of crispy vegan bacon on top. The crispy, salty bacon offers a savory contrast to the creamy, sweet porridge, creating a harmonious balance of flavors. The crispy bacon provides a satisfying crunch, which contrasts nicely with the smooth texture of the rice and coconut milk.

The savory aspect of the vegan bacon helps cut through the richness of the ube and coconut milk, bringing a delightful complexity to each bite. Whether you use store-bought vegan bacon or make your own, it’s a key topping that transforms this dish into something truly special.

Serving Ube Champorado

Ube Champorado is best served hot, making it the perfect dish for a cozy breakfast or snack. Its creamy, slightly sweet, and savory flavor profile makes it an ideal choice for those looking to indulge in a comforting meal.

For a complete experience, serve the champorado with additional toppings such as a drizzle of vegan condensed milk or evaporated milk. The milk adds extra sweetness, and the richness pairs perfectly with the ube and coconut milk base. You can also experiment with other toppings, like toasted coconut flakes or chopped nuts, for added texture and flavor.

Additionally, Ube Champorado can be enjoyed as a dessert. Its sweet, comforting flavor makes it a delightful treat after a meal or as a satisfying late-night snack.

The Health Benefits of Ube Champorado

While Ube Champorado is undeniably indulgent, it also offers several health benefits. Ube, like other root vegetables, is rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It provides a natural source of antioxidants, which help protect the body from oxidative stress. Additionally, the fiber in the sweet rice and ube can aid in digestion, helping to keep you feeling full and satisfied.

Coconut milk also brings healthy fats, which can support heart health and contribute to a feeling of fullness. When enjoyed in moderation, this dish provides a well-rounded balance of carbohydrates, healthy fats, and fiber, making it a nutritious option for a sweet breakfast or dessert.

Conclusion: A Delicious and Nourishing Twist on a Classic

Ube Champorado is a modern twist on a traditional Filipino favorite, offering a rich and creamy alternative to the classic chocolate-based porridge. With the addition of ube, coconut milk, and crispy vegan bacon, this dish combines sweetness and savory flavors in a delightful way. Whether you enjoy it as a comforting breakfast or a sweet dessert, Ube Champorado is sure to satisfy both your taste buds and your soul. It’s a dish that brings comfort, flavor, and a touch of indulgence to any meal.