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Avena

Drink your oats.
difficulty:
yield:

Makes about 3¾ cups (4 to 5 servings)

time:

About 10 minutes of cooking time, at least 8 hours of chilling, and a quick whirl in a blender

introduction

This iced concoction freckled with cinnamon slides down like a wave of gently sweetened satiny oat cream. So naturally thick and soothing is avena, we would understand if someone with an itchy rash considered making a bath of it. Consumed for breakfast in Central and South America and made from boxed rolled oats, milk, and sugar, avena is often tricked out with the juice of a small round fruit called naranjilla, which resembles a hairy orange and tastes like a cross between lemon and pineapple. But while Anson Mills toasted oat flour needs no such enhancement—our avena is so richly flavored and good for you that refreshment and nourishment arrive in a single pour—we confess a fondness for avena poured over ripe sliced peaches and spooned from a bowl, or blended with fresh peach purée. This is a perfect summer drink.

equipment mise en place

For this recipe, you will need a medium saucepan, a whisk, a heatproof bowl or 1-quart liquid measuring cup, and a blender.

  1.  

    In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, oat flour, sugars, and salt and whisk to combine. Add the cinnamon stick and set the pan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer, whisking frequently, then immediately transfer to a heatproof bowl or 1-quart liquid measuring cup. Let cool to room temperature, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 8 hours or up to 24. 

  2.  

    When you’re ready to serve, remove and discard the cinnamon stick from the chilled oat-thickened milk and pour the milk into a blender. Add the ice cubes and purée just until smooth; avena is best ice-cold, so don’t blend longer than needed. Pour into glasses, garnish each serving with a pinch of ground cinnamon (if using), and serve. (Leftover avena can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It will separate on standing, so stir well to recombine before serving.)

Recipe developed by Dawn Yanagihara