Homemade Almond Milk: A Nutritious Dairy Alternative
Finding balance in your life can be as simple as switching to a plant-powered dairy alternative, like almond milk. Homemade almond milk is not only delicious but also packed with health benefits. Plus, making your own nut and seed milk is easy! With just a blender and a strainer, you can create fresh almond milk at home. You can find nut bags at health food stores or online, but cheesecloth works too. Homemade almond milk keeps in the refrigerator for about two days. And if you don’t feel like straining, then just blend and enjoy the thicker consistency.
Why Choose Almond Milk?
Nutrient-Rich: Almond milk is a great source of essential nutrients like vitamin E, magnesium, and healthy fats. These nutrients support brain health, skin health, and overall well-being.
Lactose-Free: Almond milk is naturally lactose-free, making it an excellent option for those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies.
Heart Health: Almonds contain monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health and cholesterol levels.
Environmentally Friendly: Producing almond milk has a lower environmental impact compared to dairy milk, requiring less water and producing fewer greenhouse gasses.
Ingredients
1 cup raw almonds, preferably organic
2 cups water (plus more for soaking)
2 Medjool dates
Pinch of kosher salt
Directions
Soak the Almonds: Place the raw almonds in a bowl and cover with water. Let them soak at room temperature overnight or up to 2 days. The longer you soak, the creamier the milk.
Drain and Rinse: Drain and rinse the almonds, discarding the soaking water.
Blend: Put the plumped almonds into your blender or food processor with 2 Medjool dates, a pinch of salt, and 2 cups of fresh water. Blend continuously for about two minutes. If you’re feeling fancy, add ½ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.
Strain: Strain the mixture through your nut milk bag or cheesecloth. Don’t be afraid to get your hands messy!
Store: Refrigerate the nut milk after preparing. Use within 2 days (though it usually doesn’t last that long -- it’s too delicious!).
Reuse Almond Meal: Save the leftover almond meal for other uses, like adding to pancakes, muffins, or oatmeal. If you want to store it, dry it in the oven at a low temperature for a few hours and keep it in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Enjoy your homemade almond milk as a nutritious, plant-powered addition to your balanced lifestyle!
