Leche

Milk does the Body Good? Or does it? Most of us have fond memories of milk. A tall cold glass of milk with cookies or maybe on its own. Certainly with a bowl of cereal in the morning! Some of us, as we’ve gotten older, have developed an allergy to milk, more specifically milk sugar or lactose. The adverse side effects can include diarrhea, abdominal pains, and flatulence. But who doesn’t want a killer milk moustache?

If you are one of the lucky millions with lactose intolerance like myself, I have a couple of lovely recipes for you to try at home. Almond Milk and Oat milk are wonderful alternatives to cow milk, easy to make and are interchangeable in recipes.

Almond milk is my all-time favorite. It is creamy and naturally sweet. Almonds are high in magnesium, potassium and copper, and also contain Vitamin E, calcium, and selenium which are antioxidants. Since you’ll be making this milk yourself, you can regulate the sugar content.

With great flavor options like cinnamon, cardamom, agave nectar, piloncillo, dates and vanilla, you are bound to create your own signature flavor.
Oat Milk is a whole grain soluble fiber which enables it to lower cholesterol, hence it is heart healthy.
To start making your own milk, you’ll need a few items.

A bowl for soaking, a blender, a fine strainer plus a cheese cloth. Then it’s up to you to decide which additives. Use my recipes and then go crazy with your own ideas.

The first step in milk making, you gourmet leche lover you, is to start soaking. You‘ll need to soak your almonds or oats in filtered water overnight.

This softens the nut or oat as well as rinsing the Pythic acid which acts as an enzyme inhibitor. The next few steps are to, blend, strain, and strain again, chill, and enjoy!

Amazing Almond Milk
2 cups of unsalted raw almonds (soaked overnight)
4 cups of filtered water
7 dates (seeded)
Blend thoroughly, about 30 seconds of more. Depending on your blender, you may need to blend in 2 batches.
Strain milk through fine strainer and then strain using cheese cloth. This takes a bit of finesse but practice makes perfect.
Chill and enjoy. Keeps in fridge for up to 3days.
Oat milk
1 ½ cups of rolled oats (soaked overnight)
3 cups of water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 Tablespoon agave nectar

Blend, strain, and enjoy
Like almond milk, oat milk keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days

There are of course variations on the theme. Add cocoa powder for guilt free chocolate milk or fresh berries for an incredible vegan licuado!

Did someone say banana, almond milk, and strawberry?
YES PLEASE!
Be creative and have fun.

Breakfast Cereal
1 cup blueberries or raspberries
¼ cup mixture of pecans, walnuts, sesame almonds, chia seeds,
1 tablespoon ground flax
1 tablespoon oats
1 tablespoon of flax seed oil
Almond or oat milk as you like

Layer in a bowl and enjoy.