It sounds counterintuitive, but chilled (rather than hot) oatmeal—similar to muesli—is smooth, rich, creamy, and flavorful. For the ultimate texture, don’t skip the step of soaking the raw oats overnight (it enables them to soften). I love to make a large batch and keep it in the fridge for up to five days.

MAKES 3 1/2 CUPS (ABOUT 4 SERVINGS) 2 cups rolled oats

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup plain unsweetened oat milk
• 10 pitted dates
• 1/2 cup whole pecans
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

INSTRUCTIONS

• Pour the oats into a medium bowl, and cover with 4 cups lukewarm water.
• Cover and let soak overnight.
• Rinse and drain.
• Puree the soaked oats and the rest of the ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth, about 40 seconds.

SERVE

• Ladle the mixture into 4 small bowls.
• Top with fresh berries, if desired.