Oatmeal is known and loved by people pretty much everywhere. Children and adults around the world eat it for breakfast. Although a steaming bowl of oatmeal is usually associated with winter, it doesn’t mean it’s only consumed in colder climes. Even under the tropical sun of the Dominican Republic, oatmeal is used in the preparation of refreshing drinks that combine fruit juice and oats as well as the more familiar hot breakfast cereal.
Elsewhere, oatmeal sometimes appears as an ingredient in dishes other than cereal and drinks. It’s an important ingredient in haggis, the traditional Scottish delicacy consisting of a sheep’s stomach stuffed with the sheep’s own heart, liver and lungs minced with onion, oatmeal, suet and spices… definitely not for the faint-hearted!
Along with its northern European neighbours, Scotland is also one of the countries with the strongest tradition of consuming oatmeal, starting with the classic Scottish porridge. Come to think of it, porridge is about as emblematic to Scots as mangú is to Dominicans. Other oatmeal-based foods include Scottish oatcakes (savoury crackers).
A couple of decades ago, oatmeal was promoted from its long-time status as a good old fashioned, staid comfort food to a more glamorous standing as an A-list health food. This happened after its healthy properties became widely known. The most startling revelation was that oat bran in the diet was proved to reduce cholesterol because of its soluble fibre content. It’s also a rich source of B vitamins. Since then, oatmeal and especially oat bran became regular features of healthier versions of cakes, cookies, flapjacks and fruit crumbles. Muesli, the oat-based cereal from Germany and Switzerland, has become an almost universal healthy breakfast option well beyond its countries of origin.
Oatmeal porridge can be made with water or milk, and some people add butter or cream. It can be sweetened with sugar, honey or maple syrup, enhanced with dried fruit like raisins, and spiced with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg or allspice. Some varieties of porridge are served salty rather than sweet. It even has its place in popular folklore, most notably in the classic children’s story Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
Aunt Ilana
Jugo de Avena is a refreshing and nutritional beverage that requires little preparation. It's the perfect breakfast drink for the summertime and a favorite among little kids.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of oatmeal (whole, not instant)
- 1 qrt of skim milk
- 1 cup of sugar (you might not use all of it)
- Juice from 3 limes
- 2 cups of ice (optional)
Instructions
- Mix the milk and oatmeat. Blend at high speed for 3 minutes. Sieve to get rid of solids.
- Add sugar to taste.
- Chill in the freezer (it has to be very cold, or it will curdle).
- Remove from the freezer and add the ice, stir.
- Slowly pour the lime juice into the oatmeal mix stirring constantly.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
I have tried versions of these without milk (substitute water for milk), or without lime. My favorite includes both, feel free to experiment.
Aunt Clara's Kitchen is a collection of traditional Dominican and Dominican-inspired recipes, home ideas, crafts, and the chronicles of Aunt Clara and Aunt Ilana's adventures.
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
Isn't this what dominican's call morir soñando?
No, that's a different drink. http://www.dominicancooking.com/976-morir-sonando…
Are there any other ways to make jugo de avena? I've had it con naranja y con limon, pero they tasted WAY different than this recipe. It think this tastes more like morir sonando…
No, morir soñando has no oatmeal in it
The way I have had it, it does not contain orange juice or milk in it, only lime juice, sugar,and a little bit of vanilla extract.
Different homes have different recipes.
I dont have oranges and either lemons what can i add instead?
Can I use brown sugar instead?
@Rhina: Yes!
To make jugo de avena I use evaporated milk(Carnation), fresh orange juice, sugar, oatmeal and of course crushed ice..place the oatmeal in the blender with a little bit of water and some evaporated milk and liquify, and sift then in a separate container add the fresh orange juice and the sugar and stir, add the crushed ice to the juice…now, combined the juice mixture slowly and stiring it to the oatmeal mixture and add more evaporated milk..enjoy!!!
That is another recipe entirely: jugo de avena.
Yo lo he tomado con limon, es bastante refrescante
This looks amazing. I imagine it tastes a little like horchata?
Not like the horchatas I have tried. You really oughta try it.
our cafeteria at work has these for breakfast, made by one of the Dominican women who works there. I asked her about her recipe and she uses fresh OJ and vanilla extract. I'm going to try your recipe at home – I love lime.
Can you refrigerate this after it’s made or does it have to be consumed immediately?
It has to be consumed right away, otherwise it will curdle. If you want to save it for some time do not add the lime juice and do it right before serving.
Gracias Tia Clara! I didn’t think I’d get an answer that quickly. Thanks so much!
You are welcome. Just remember that the milk and oatmeal mix has to be very cold when you add the lime juice.
I love this drink!
Can it be made with instant oats?
Possibly.
How can I convert this recipe to make 1-2 instead of 6? Thanks
Ok This is good and it worked for me. I usually make this with just water but i tried this method and it taste better. It helped me produce more milk, if you know what i meen, i have happy baby now lol. Thanks Clara
Yes, I was also told to have a lot of jugo de avena when I was breastfeeding. I don’t know how much it had to do with it, but I produced milk like a cow for two years. Happy kid.
Hi Aunt Clara. Have you ever made this with leche evaporada? Would you recommend it? Saw the comments and I am also breastfeeding and heard this is good to drink. Looking for some variety. I have made this without lime and added vanilla extract. Thanx.
You can also make this without milk. Soack the oatmeal in water with lemon zest for 24 hours. You can mix with a spoon and drain and add sugar, or blend the oats and water without the zest and add sugar. Really good healthy and refreshing! Another way to make it is soaking the oats in passion fruit or oarnge juice instead of water.
Okay this is my first time trying to make this for my boyfriend. He’s Dominican and have had drank this growing up. Can I use regular milk ?
Yes, you can.