Milk isn’t just for breakfast or baking. In fact, it fits into all kinds of recipes, from breakfast sides to dinner mains, and brings 13 essential nutrients and high-quality protein along with it. Together with our friends at Gonna Need Milk, we’re sharing a few of our favorite (sometimes surprising) dishes and drinks starring this powerhouse ingredient.

Each of these dishes is homey and hot; the perfect way to start a blustery day.

An important distinction: in this case “creamy” does not equal heavy. These meals are surprisingly light, with rich, filling flavors.

The best sides stand on their own, and these are absolutely in that category. Each one is tasty enough solo to warrant calls for seconds (and thirds).

As a beverage, milk is so much more than a complement to your coffee (although it certainly excels at that). From lassis to eggnogs, these recipes show milk’s (year-round) range.