Got Almond Milk?
If you have taken a trip to the dairy aisle lately you are probably aware of the vast array of dairy-alternative milks on the market these days. For a variety of reasons, minimizing dairy can benefit your health. Luckily, there are a number of delicious non-dairy drink options on the market that allow you to serve your health without sacrificing flavor. However, you don't have to settle for the options in the store. Nut milks are incredibly simple for anyone to make, especially almond milk. Once you’ve tasted the difference by making it yourself, it is easy to find those five minutes required to make the milk regularly. This recipe is creamy and mild in flavor and is a great substitute for cow’s milk in coffee, cereal, or baking. It's a staple in my family's refrigerator.
Almond milk
Yield: appx. 1 qt
Time: 5-10 minutes active
1 cup raw almonds
3 ½ cups water plus more for soaking
pinch of sea salt
Place almonds in a bowl and fill with water to cover. Soak the almonds for 4-6 hours.
Rinse the almonds well and place in a high speed blender with 3 ½ cups of fresh, preferably filtered water. Add a pinch of sea salt.
Blend the mixture for 30-60 seconds until the mixture is puréed.
Filter the almond mixture through a fine mesh sieve, cheese cloth or nut bag.
Store in an air-tight, glass container in the refrigerator.
Notes:
Consume within 3-4 days
If you are short on time, pour boiling water over your almonds and let them sit for 30 minutes before blending. The almonds are very forgiving. I will often let them soak for up to 24 hours.
Optional: To make vanilla sweetened almond milk, add 2 pitted dates and a ¼ of vanilla extract to the blender during mixture.
I find that using a nut bag to be the easiest way to filter the almond puree.
Save the pulp! The added bonus of making your own almond milk is that you can enjoy the entire nut. The pulp still contains fiber and nutrients and can be added to smoothies, cookies, oatmeal, breads and countless other options.
Additional articles about dairy:
Milk and Health: Research from the New England Journal of Medicine