Nut/Dairy Free Milk

Nut/Dairy Free Milk is prepared with seeds and grain, mostly used when people are allergic to dairy products and nuts. Grain milk does not have any flavors but they are high in carbohydrates.

You can mix some cocoa powder or chocolate extract with this grain of milk to make chocolate milk. Prepare smoothies, gravies and bake with these grain or seed milk. I have shared two different milk with grain and coconut milk and have given pros and cons for each milk.

Food for the thought

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.”

― Bernard M. Baruch

Benefits of the ingredients (source)

Oats are nutritious and are rich in antioxidants.
Coconut reduces inflammation, fights virus and bacteria, decrease stomach ulcer.

Video for preparing nut/dairy-free milk

Variations

Use any type of grains or seeds to prepare milk. Flavor with vanilla extract or any extract. Use dates, maple syrup for sweetener. Cardamom powder tastes great with coconut milk.

Grains that can be used to prepare milk?

• Rice
• Wheat
• Barley
• Quinoa…

Seeds that can be used to prepare milk

• Sesame seed
• Hemp seeds
• Poppy seeds
• Sunflower seed…

How to prepare milk with seeds or grains?

Step 1 choose any grain or seed. Soak overnight for hard grains or a couple of hours in hot water. If a seed, soak for 15-30 minutes depending on the seed.
Step 2 Rinse well until you see clear water. 
Step 3 On a high-speed blender, blend grain until smooth with water.
Step 4 Strain using a nut milk bag, fine strainer, or cheesecloth.
Step 5 Store in a glass container and refrigerate it. Use within 4-5 days.

Can I flavor or sweeten my milk?

Yes, you can add any extract to flavor the milk or use dates, maple syrup, or any sweetener. If you are preparing milk in bulk, I suggest you keep plain. So, you can choose each time different flavors and sweeteners.

Why Homemade grain or seed milk?

Store-bought milk is the easy way to include in our diet but homemade milk has lot of advantages like

1. Control over the ingredients added
2. Avoiding sweetener
3. Consistency of the milk thick or thin
4. Cost-effective
5. No preservatives

How to dilute seed/grain milk?

I suggest you have always thick milk, depending upon the recipe you can dilute it later. Whenever you are diluting the milk, use hot water. If using cold water, it does not combine properly especially the coconut milk. Use hot or warm whenever you are diluting the milk.

How to prepare coconut milk using desiccated coconut?

Coconut milk can be prepared with

• Matured coconuts (flesh)
• Desiccated coconut
• Frozen coconut
• Coconut powder

Coconut milk prepared with the flesh of the matured coconut always taste better and have wonderfully thick, creamy, and fresh milk. Milk prepared with desiccated coconut will be a little greasy. While preparing with desiccated coconut never use cold water. With frozen coconut, bring to room temperature, use warm water to prepare milk. Finally, the easiest step is preparing milk with coconut powder. Mix with warm water for your desired consistency.

Rice milk

Preparing time Soaking time overnight or 3-4 hours in hot water
Ingredients Rice and water
Equipment needed High-speed blender, cheesecloth or any cotton cloth, glass container to store.
Taste Sweet
Consistency Thin mostly settled down in the container, shake week before each use.
Usage You can use rice milk in baking, flavored milk, and smoothies. Do not use in coffee.
Pros of rice milk Low in cholesterol, Keeps you energetic because of the carb, free of allergies.
Cons of rice milk High in carbohydrates and sugar. Less protein.

Oat milk

Preparing time No soaking required if using quick oats. If using steel cut oats soak for an hour.
Ingredients Oats and water
Equipment needed High-speed blender, cheesecloth or any cotton cloth, glass container to store.
Taste Sweet and silky.
Consistency Thick, sticky and creamy.
Usage You can use rice milk in baking, flavored milk, cereal, and smoothies.
Pros of oat milk easy to digest, lower bad cholesterol level.
Cons of oat milk contain sugar, high in carbs, and some oats may contain gluten.

Coconut milk

Preparing time No soaking required. Grind using hot water.
Ingredients Desiccated coconut and water
Equipment needed High-speed blender, cheesecloth or any cotton cloth, glass container to store.
Taste Nutty and strong flavor of coconut.
Consistency Creamy and thick.
Usage You can use in curry, baking, preparing yogurt, milkshakes,…
Pros of coconut milk Improve digestion, reduce inflammation and increase energy.
Cons of coconut milk high in calories, allergies, abundant fat.

Try these dairy free milk in

Acai Bowl
Mango Chia Seed Pudding