Whoever came up with the idea of avena caliente (oatmeal and milk hot drink) must have been a culinary genius.
The best part of keeping this blog, and having it become the de facto digital Dominican kitchen, is that we get to show you recipes that may not longer be as popular in the Dominican home, but that definitely deserve a revival. They deserve to be shown to the world, and adopted for the wonderful ideas that they are.
Oatmeal dishes as a part of breakfast are pretty much universal at this point, and researchers nearly trip over each other to reveal an ever-growing list of nutritional benefits. Imagine this in a drink form. Imagine how practical: a warm drink, thick, and full of the flavors of our beloved spices. It warms the soul and satisfy the most voracious appetite. Even those who dislike oatmeal porridge will give oatmeal a second chance.
Avena caliente (oatmeal and milk hot drink):
Often found on our breakfast table when I was a kid. Practical, simple, quick to make and inexpensive, this is just perfect to send the kids off to school with a nutritionally solid meal in their stomach.
And grownups will love it too. Pour into your favorite lidded mug and sip on your way to work if you are short on time.
Buen provecho!
Aunt Clara
- 1/2 cup [58 gr] of oatmeal
- 4 cups of water
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt (optional)
- 4 cups of milk (see notes)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 6 cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon of grated nutmeg
- 4 tablespoons of brown sugar (or more, to taste)
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Mix water, milk, salt and oatmeal and mix (in a blender) until the oatmeal is nearly dissolved.
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In a 3 quart [3 lt] pot mix with cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Heat over medium heat, stir constantly.
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Once it breaks the boil, lower heat and simmer until volume has reduced to 3/4 of the original. Add sugar to taste
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Serve warm.
For a thicker, richer drink use evaporated milk. For a lighter drink, skim milk works very well. If you are lactose intolerant, or vegan, I have enjoyed it with almond milk.
To sieve or not to sieve. That is the question. You'll lose some fiber if you sieve this drink, but not as much as you'd think since most will be blended in, it will only remove the large pieces left. Some like it like that. I'll leave it to you to decide.
I made this tonight and OMG!!!! Delish such memories of my younger years thank you xo
This makes me remember my child hood! I’m loving your site, unfortunately I never picked up my families Dominican recipes so this site helps me try out all the foods I love myself! They will be so surprised when I start bringing in some Dominican dishes to get-together’s 😉
Thanks for such an awesome idea! Though I’ve used oats a lot in smoothies, the idea of a thick, warm oat drink sounded great! Because of a lot of serious health issues, I tried a whole food plant based diet as Dr McDougall recommends, and actually reversed all the illnesses in a few months, and went on to lose over 100 lbs, I was amazed! So I am a stickler about what I eat now, and dairy and processed sugar are out, so I had to modify your recipe, but it turned out fantastic!
I ground up 1/2 cup of oats; 1/4 cup of cashews (or peanuts, almonds, whatever); a TBS of ground flax, four pitted dates, a small handful of raisins or other dried fruit, and some powdered spices in a blender, added 4 cups of warm water, and let it all soak for 15 minutes or so. Then for added sweetness and nutrients I added a whole ripe banana, a chopped apple and a bit of stevia, a few drops of vanilla extract, and blended everything well for a couple minutes. I poured this mixture into a pot and heated it until it became thick and creamy. Totally easy, yum and totally healthy, full of fiber, nutrients and comfort!! Try it with peanut butter and cocoa powder in place of the nuts and spices like a reeses peanut butter cup, or try adding different sweet fruits and/or spices or extracts to the mix. One of my faves so far is using ground toasted hazelnuts for the nut, and cocoa powder for flavor… it’s like drinking creamy nutella! Or try almonds, cocoa powder and coconut extract for an almond joy! Lots of fun, get creative! Thanks again for the idea!
Many great ideas. Thanks!
This is absolutely delicious! What wonderful comfort food, and no caffeine! Thank you so much for passing this on.
Alternate way of cooking. Make oatmeal as you would for a bowl of oatmeal. I had it sitting on my stove when I found this recipe. I used 2 cups steel cut oats and 6 cups of water. Then I simply took 1/4 of the oatmeal (since her recipe calls for for 1/2 cup oatmeal) blended it in the blender gradually adding the milk until the blender could hold not more, transferred it to a pot finished adding the milk (6 cups total) and spices, brought it to a very gentle simmer and simmered for 5 minutes. Done! We don’t mind the fiber, hence straining it is not an issue.
I was very happy to find this recipe. Thank you for posting. During warm weather I will be trying your jugo de avena.
Either the cook time and size of the pot are off, or the amount of milk or water called for is incorrect, because with the amount of liquid in this recipe, I had to change this over to a spaghetti pot and cook for like an hour for it to reduce. It still turned out tasty, but boy was it frustrating to be standing over the stove all morning staring at a recipe that claimed to take 10 minutes 🙁
This is a drink. I am not sure what would come out of it was boiled for an hour, but probably not a drink.
Just wanted to add my 2 cents and say I also had to cook this for about an hour. I think part of my problem was that I had the heat too low. After about 15 minutes I ended up bringing it up to high to get it started boiling. I turned the heat down to let it simmer, but after about 30 more minutes I just let it go to a low boil instead to get it to start reducing to 3/4ths. I did end up with film across the top, but it came off with no problem and the rest was delicious! Just wanted to share for anyone who might have the same problem… or a stove like mine that’s not too great. 🙂
A variation I do is to polverize the oatmeal in a blender and sift out the solids. I make the Avena Caliente with the polverized oatmeal following the same recipe. Enjoy!
This was sooo delicious and turned out just like my abuela used to make! I left it the “rustic ” way because that’s how I used to drink it. I halved the ingredients because I was making it just for me. It’s really not as forgotten as people think. I grew up in Washington Heights in New York City and the restaurants there still make it and offer it for breakfast. I live in New Jersey now so I don’t get to smell the “avena ” walking down The Heights in the morning.
I l love avena con leche caliente.I don’t think it is as forgotten as people think. I like the rustic recipe better (where you leave the oats whole), but I do like this one two; it just depends on what I want at the moment. Also to change it a little for my kids I sometimes add a little chocolate or coffee.
When you say blend, do you mean in a blender, or just stir it? Thank you in advance.
Aunt Clara not aunt cakes 😉
Found it ! Thank you aunt Clara. I love telling people I learned it from aunt cakes when I make your delicious recipes .
Can we had regular granulated sugar instead of brown sugar?
Color and level of sweetness may not be the same, but yes. You could.
How can I make 2 portions, is it ok just to halve the ingredients?
You’ll need to do some math. I haven’t tested a recipe for two. 🙂
My partner has been wanting me to try making this recipe for so long! This morning, we finally tried it and it was delicious! thank you for a great recipe that made my home smell like Christmas 🙂
If I use the Aveeno oats sold in my Goya aisle, Do I still have to blend?
Hi Clara!
First I double the recipe, but just used one cup of brown sugar rather than making that double,and it was too sweet for my taste. So, next time I’m keeping the original amount and double everything else. Also, I got the grounded cloves from my local Halal Market! Also, I used unsweetened almond milk instead of regular or evaporated, and you cannot even notice a taste…that’s important for my children!. Now I have a recipe where my kids feel they’re having a treat and it’s full of nutritious oatmeal and almond milk. Thanks!
That’s why whenever I can I direct to add sugar “to taste”. 🙂
I think is our obligation to rescue those forgotten recipes that are part of our cultural baggage. Well done!. I, definitely will make this (once I have a home with a kitchen), I love these warm beverages that are heart comforting, actually it reminds me mexican atole. Besos Clara!
Thank you for the inspiration, tia Clara! This brings so many good memories of growing up in the DR. My mom’s version was a little more rustic, and we had it with ‘pan de agua’ -still warm from the bakery around the corner- smeared with mantequilla Sosua. After such a delicious breakfast, we were ready to face school fully nourished.
Looove the darker, moodier photos… and the props, always the props.
I love this using the grated chocolate from the balls made in the campo. I have never seen staining the oats and blending them. Maybe I have to spend more time in the kitchen rather than at the table.
Sounds really good, we would love to have a sip of this comforting warm drink!
Congratulations on being nominated in th blog award, Aunt Clara:)
J+C
Beautiful Avena caliente. I remembered drinking it when I was a child. Congratulations for being part of the best blogs nominated in Saveur 😉
My husband love it
I really love this website it have all the dominican recipes that i like thank you for all your wounderfull meals and dessert…..
Good recipe
Love it! My mom used to add a pinch of salt and a little cocoa! Delicious! Especially in a cold morning!!
Can you use almond milk?
Can you be a little more specific on how to make it please, thank youu
Is it necessary to add milk?
I think it is.
Do I include the water I soaked the oats in when blending or just the oats?
Everyhing.
Would quick cooking oats work in this recipe?
Thank you, now I can make it at home instead of going to the local bodega. It will be a nice change from regular oatmeal.
Oh, never mind. I figured it out, sorry! And thank you for the delicious recipe!
Oh, and also, do you mean to blend the contents by putting then in a blender?
Hi, how are you?
I have a question. What do you mean by strain the contents?