You love milk. But want to be vegan?
Try out these healthy DIY non-dairy milk options for all your milk needs.
As a kid at some point we have all troubled our mothers to avoid our daily glass of milk. But as we grow older milk becomes part of our breakfast meal or as yoghurt or as butter and even in desserts.
Now as an adult you want to make the healthy choice or moral choice of following the Naturopathy way or Vegan way and just don’t know how you will do without the all essential milk?
Worry not! You don’t have to give up on milk, you just have to get rid of dairy products.
Our ancestors made milk out of so many items and for your dietary needs and pleasure,
Here are some non-dairy milk options which you can use as a replacement for milk and for all your dairy needs.
1.ALMOND MILK
Ingredients:
*1 cup overnight soaked almonds with skin
*4 cups filtered water
Method:
*Put soaked almonds in a blender and add only two cups to water at this point.
*You may need to probably stop a few times and move things around with a spatula during the blending process.
*When it becomes a paste-like mixture, add the rest of the 2 cups of water.Further blend it for 3-4 minutes until it is completely smooth and frothy.
*At this point we may stop the process of making almond milk as we have got a substance with the colour and consistency of milk.But all the almond solids in the milk tend to give it a chalky like texture, so for a smoother, creamier milk, strain the almond milk.
*You can strain it with a cheesecloth or a strainer
*Refrigerate it immediately.You may use it for approximately 2-3 days.
Tip:
*Do not discard the leftovers it can be used in dips, smoothies, gravies or face packs
Try Flavoured Milk (optional):
*Add 1-2 dates, pitted and chopped in the blender along with the almonds.
*Add a pinch of cinnamon when adding the last 2 cups of water into the blender.
Enjoy this yummy, healthy, healthy power packed tasty flavoured milk with the goodness of nature!
2.COCONUT MILK
OPTION 1: From FRESHLY GRATED COCONUT
Ingredients:
*1 cup freshly grated coconut
*4 cups filtered water
Method:
*Transfer the freshly grated coconut in a blender
*Add little water and blend it well until smooth. *When you blend the mixture, remember to push down on the lid with a piled-up tea towel,to prevent the lid from blasting off.
*Add remaining water and blend more for 2-3 minutes.
*Now, sieve the mixture with a cheesecloth or a fine sieve.
*Pour the thick milk into a bottle. Refrigerate and you may use it for 2-3 days.
*You may add water to make it thin as per taste and requirement.
Tip: You may make more coconut milk in one go.But to avoid spilling of milk,do not fill the blender up to the top.
OPTION 2: From DESSICATED COCONUT
This is a quicker and easier way of making coconut milk.
Dessicated Coconut is easily available in the market in readymade packs.
Ingredients:
*1 cup Dessicated coconut
*4 cups filtered water
Method:
*Pour warm water into the blender, add Desiccated Coconut and blend well.
*Sieve through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
*Refrigerate for 1-2 days for further use
*You may add more water to the coconut milk, if you want it thin.
3.CASHEW MILK
Ingredients:
*1 cup cashews, soaked for 2 hours
*3 or 4 cups filtered water, depending on how rich and thick you want the milk
Method:
*Put the cashews in the blender, with 3 cups of fresh filtered water and turn on high mode for a minute until smooth and creamy. Then further blend on regular mode for 2 minutes
*If you want it thinner, gradually keep adding filtered water, until you achieve the desired consistency.
*The milk comes out very smooth and does not need straining. In case you like it super smooth you may use a strainer as per your preference.
Tip:
In case you are using it as flavoured milk or with fruits,you might want to add honey, cinnamon, saffron or cardamom etc. to it.
4.PEANUT MILK
Ingredients:
*1 cup raw peanuts with skin, soaked overnight.
*4 cups filtered water
Method:
*Drain the water and place the peanuts in a blender. Add 2 cups of filtered water and blend until smooth, approximately for 1 minute.
*Then add the rest of the water and further blend it for 2-3 minutes.
*Strain the mixture through a sieve or cheesecloth.
*Store in the refrigerator and enjoy upto 2 days.
Try Flavoured Milk (optional):
*Add a pinch of Cinnamon/ Cardamom powder
Or
*2-3 dates, pitted, chopped at the time of placing the almonds into the blender.
All the above milk options can be used as a substitute for dairy milk. Use them as per your liking and taste to make Tea, Curries, Smoothies, Desserts or as an accompaniment with oats or just on its own.
Get Healthy, Happy and be guilt-free while enjoying the goodness of nature, dry fruits and without causing harm to any other living beings.
Enjoy your milk and in the comments share how you used the non-dairy milk with your own inputs and special recipes in different foods.
Source:
‘Recipes To Cure Lifestyle Diseases’ by Neerja Roy Chowdhury with Pratiksha Vats
