Walnut Milk

(image provided by SPUD)

As a person with many allergies and sensitivities, I am always looking for alternatives that I can make at home with little cost that are healthy, easy, and delicious. Since I am lactose intolerant the prices of alternative milk products are rising, I began figuring out how to make alternatives to milk at home.

It truly began with my study of Edo period Japan for my Second Life sim. I began looking into the foods they used since during that period of history the country was not open to foreign trade in general and was under Shinto law which forbade the eating of meat (with a few exceptions). I knew they used soy milk, but didn't understand how they made it. I did some research and discovered that you can make "milk" out of just about anything. I had some walnuts around from increasing the intake of omega-3 in my diet. So I thought "why not".

To my surprise, the process was easy, the result was delicious and it can be used for anything. The "milk" is very creamy, has a beautiful vanilla flavor and it's great for baking and cooking. It's not too sweet like many of the other commercial nut-based milk that I have tried and there is no after taste.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup shelled walnuts
• 3 cups water
• water for soaking
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Equipment:

• mesh strainer
• food processor or blender
• large bowl
• Cheesecloth or muslin

(image by Louisa Enright)

• Place the walnuts in the bowl.
• Fill the bowl with water until about 1-in above the walnuts
• Let rest for 12 hours at room temperature

Most people who do not like walnuts complain about the bitter aftertaste from eating them. This is caused by the natural tannins within the nut itself. Soaking releases the tannins almost completely eliminating that bitterness.

(image by Dishin and Dishes)

• Pour the walnuts into a colander and strain.
• Rinse walnuts well to remove the remaining tannins.

At this step, you can taste the walnuts. You should find them to be soft and kinda "springy" and without the typical walnut after taste.

(photo courtesy of Flavorrd)

• Place the walnuts into your blender.
• Add 3 cups of water.
• Add 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.
• Add 1 tablespoon maple syrup.
• Blend for 2 minutes.

• Place the mesh strainer over a bowl or pitcher.
• Pour the contents of the blender slowly into the strainer
• Once the strainer is full, use a spoon to move the meal around allowing for the liquid to drain through.
• When done, move the meal into a bowl.
• Repeat the process until all meal is collected.

You can also use cheesecloth or a straining bag for this process, but i personally find using the mesh strainer easier due to my disabilities.

(image by Well Insiders)

• Place the cheesecloth into another small bowl.
• Transfer the meal to the cheesecloth.
• Fold the cheesecloth around the meal.
• Squeeze the meal to collect the rest of the milk from the meal.
• Add the gather milk to the rest.

• Place the walnut meal into your blender.
• Add 1 1/2 cups of water.
• Add 1/2 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.
• Add 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup.
• Blend for 2 minutes.

• Place the mesh strainer over a bowl or pitcher.
• Pour the contents of the blender slowly into the strainer
• Once the strainer is full, use a spoon to move the meal around allowing for the liquid to drain through.
• When done, move the meal into a bowl.
• Place the cheesecloth into the small bowl.
• Transfer the meal to the cheesecloth.
• Fold the cheesecloth around the meal.
• Squeeze the meal to collect the rest of the milk from the meal.
• Add the gather milk to the rest.

I keep my Walnut Milk in glass jars. It makes it easy to shake up after it separates, which it does after a couple of days.

Walnut Milk can be used to replace milk in any recipe. It provides a creamy substitute. It's amazing with cereal, cookies, and more. The only recipes i would hesitate to use it is for gravies and sauce bases unless they are specifically for desserts.

Walnut Milk will remain good for up to five (5) days in the refrigerator. You can also freeze Walnut Milk. It's suggested that you do so in ice cube trays for ease of use. It's a great addition to coffee to make Iced Coffee.