TREE MILK
An almond tree, what a perfect gift from our mother, what a versatile seed, in so many pleasurable ways it can become. So blessed we humans are, that we can enjoy this encapsulated deliciousness. See the abundance of nature always provides nourishment, harmony, and balance all wrapped up in beauty and vibrancy.
ALMOND MILK BASIC RECIPE
INGREDIENTS
About 6 cups of milk
Use a power blender, cheese clothe (or milk bag) and a bowl.
2 cups almonds
Water and ice
PREPARATION
Soak the almonds in water from the night before. Make use to wash the almonds pretty well before using them.
Place almonds in the blender and add 3 cups of water. Start blending slow and gradually raise to maximum speed.
When you see the mix start getting thicker, add more water gradually, you want to see the liquid spinning inside the vase at all times. Add water to the very top of the blender, but leave space to add a couple cups of ice. Blend for about 50 seconds. At the end, add the ice and blend for 10 more seconds.
Note: on a power blender / 2000W power- It will take much longer, about 2 minutes - on a regular blender / 250W.
To strain or not to strain? that is the question
There are a few ways to strain your milk, to make is easier to drink, so that you don’t feel the roughness of the almond skin and fiber while drinking it. You can use a simple strainer, a cheesecloth or a fancy nut milk bag.
Using a cheesecloth or nut milk bag will give you the softest sensation while drinking your milk.
My preference. Since I use nut milks for several different uses and I don’t mind some fiber in the milk, I just use a simple strainer. Good to mention it takes 5 seconds to strain and 10 seconds to wash and dry your strainer, and you will be having much better fiber than extracting the whole thing.
Abundance…an almond tree can produce about 40 lb. of almonds in a single harvest and will do it for about 50 years.
MILK VARIATIONS
CREAMIER MILK…
While blending the milk, add 1 TBSP goldenflax seeds previously sprouted for at less 3 hours. It is optional for you to strain or not the milk, but if you do, after you strain your milk put it back in the blender and add a spoon of coconut oil. Blend for 15 seconds and enjoy.
SWEETER MILK…
Add a spoon of coconut oil, a pinch of sea salt and your favorite sweetener. You can use 6 dates, 2 TBSP agave, honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, sugar, panela…
VANILLA MILK
Add one TBSP coconut oil, 6 dates and 1 TBSP vanilla extract. Blend and enjoy!
GOLDEN MILK
2 cups almond milk, 1 thumb size ginger, 1 pinky size turmeric, 4 dates, pinch of sea salt, pinch of cayenne pepper. Blend and put to boil, when boiling for just one minute. Then strain and serve. This drink can also be served cold with ice.
BERRY MILKSHAKE
Do the same procedure when making the milk, but in this case, add half of the water. Then you have a thicker milk. Add to the blender 2 frozen bananas, 1 cup frozen strawberries, 1 cup frozen raspberries and 1/4 cup blueberries. Blend and enjoy.
Note: Remember to use locally grown berries, they will have a sweeter taste and will be also easier to digest.
HOT CHOCOLATE
Blend 2 cups of almond milk, 4 dates, 4 TBSP cacao powder, 1 pinch of sea salt, 1 pinch of cayenne pepper, 1 tsp cinnamon, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Add to a pot to boil for one minute and enjoy!
Herbal Milk
Blend 2 cups of almond milk, 4 dates, 1 pinch of sea salt, 1 small branch of rosemary, 12 basil leaves, 12 chocolate mint or peppermint leaves, 20 oregano leaves and 1/2 oz of turmeric. Cook until it boild, strain and enjoy!