Dairy Truth

Much has been written about the problems with drinking milk and consuming dairy. Many common ailments such as osteoporosis, acne, and weight problems can all be linked to drinking milk and consuming dairy products. In our household, we have since switched to nut milk. We usually drink almond milk, not only for its flavor, but also for its flexibility. Almond milk comes in a variety of flavors: original is the unflavored almond milk, vanilla adds natural vanilla extract for a sweeter taste, and chocolate is a great chocolate milk substitute for those who are lactose intolerant.

My greatest concern when switching from cow’s milk to nut milk was how it would behave in the kitchen. Sure, almond milk tastes great on cereal, but how would it do baking? Baking is not so much a kitchen exercise as a chemical reaction. Ingredients must be mixed in fairly precise amounts and when mixed (and sometimes heated), a chemical reaction takes place creating a baked food. Cow’s milk and butter are used in many recipes to hold things together, to thicken things, or as a flavor.

So, I decided to create a pure vegetarian baked good using nut milk instead of cow’s milk. My first attempt was banana bread. The recipe called for ¾ cup of sour milk, Typically, I would use cow’s milk and add a tablespoon of vinegar and let it stand for several minutes. The vinegar would cause the cow’s milk to curdle which is just what the recipe called for.

I carefully measured out the almond milk, added the vinegar,, and waited. Within a few seconds of adding the vinegar an amazing thing happened. The almond milk curdled just like the regular milk! I was amazed! I added the sour almond milk to the batter and baked my banana bread as usual.

The true test of any recipe is the taste. This banana bread was a winner! By substituting the almond milk for the cow’s milk, I totally eliminated dairy from the recipe without compromising the taste and texture of the finished product. I will be testing almond milk (and rice milk and soy milk) in other recipes and will share my results!

There are more tips like these on WellHabit.com and FastingLife.com