I’d like to share  with you this super simple but decadently delicious recipe for a hot, nourishing and sweet bowl of oaty goodness (as what could be better on a cold winter’s day?).

The first time I made this I was actually planning on venturing into the wild world of savory oats, but ended up impulsively reaching for some of my favorite ingredients and, before I knew what hit me, I had devoured the bowl in a matter of seconds (it’s that good). The maca and maple syrup work so well together, giving this a really uplifting and satisfying sweetness, while the coconut oil adds a luxurious silkiness to the dish and really brings out the flavors. It’s just a very honest, happy bowl, if that makes sense 🙂

This makes a great breakfast or snack. I’ve also prepared it as a speedy lunch or dinner for when I know I’ll want something warm and wholesome, but don’t have the time or energy for cooking and cleaning up.

Maple Maca Overnight Oats

Makes: 1 serving

Ingredients

• 50g whole oats
• 1 tbsp ground flaxseeds*
• brown rice milk or another plant milk (ca. 3/4 cup)
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• 1 heaped tsp maca powder
• maple syrup to taste

* These are for the sake of adding some extra nutrition, so if you don’t have any around, leaving them out won’t change the taste.

Topping ideas:

• crushed walnuts
• raisins
• nut butter (especially peanut or almond butter)
• berries
• chia jam

Pour the oats, ground flaxseeds and maca into a bowl and add enough brown rice milk so that the oats are completely covered (you can adjust the amount of liquid depending on whether you prefer your oats more or less stodgy; I tend to just eyeball it), cover and leave in the fridge overnight, or for a few hours at least. The next day, simply heat up the oats (I do this in the microwave but you can of course also do this on the stove), stir in the coconut oil (add extra plant milk if needed), drizzle with maple syrup and enjoy!

Feel Good Fact: Besides being rich in vitamin C, maca, a root native to Peru, provides iron and copper and is said to help alleviate mood swings. (Placebo or not, I personally find it puts me in a good mood – even just the smell of it makes me happy!)