Monday, January 10, 2011

Vitamix Recipes: Almond Milk, Cashew Milk and Rice Milk


Our new Vitamix is coming in very handy.  In fact, we use it more than once a day. It has made a big difference in how we prepare allergy-friendly food -- both in allowing us to make new things, and in making existing recipes faster and smoother. As I experiment and find new favourites, I will share my Vitamix recipe successes with you. To learn more about Vitamix high-powered blenders, click the Vitamix banner on my blog. Use the code 06-005769 for free shipping if you decide to order one of your own!

Some of my most-used Vitamix recipes are for non-dairy milk. Yes, you can purchase ready-made rice and almond milks in the store, but their flavour is not as good as what you can make at home. Plus, when you make it you know exactly what is in it -- no fillers or preservatives. And it is VERY easy and much less expensive to make it yourself.

Almond Milk
  • 1 cup raw almonds
  • 4 cups water + more for soaking
  • 2 Medjool dates, pitted
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  1. Soak almonds in enough water to cover for 4 hours or overnight.  Then drain and rinse almonds well.
  2. Measure 4 cups fresh water into the Vitamix (using the handy measurements on the side of the pitcher). Add the almonds, dates and vanilla.
  3. Secure the lid and start the Vitamix on low, increasing the speed slowly up to 10 and then flip the high power switch.  Process until well blended, 1 minute or more.  
  4. Strain the milk through a nut milk bag, or 2-3 layers of cheesecloth in a wire sieve (the nut milk bag is SO much easier), for 30 minutes.  Squeeze excess milk out of bag (or gently press residue in sieve) then pour milk into a container with lid (I use a 1 litre/quart mason jar). Store milk in the fridge for up to 5 days. Shake well before serving.
  5. Almond residue (what is left in your nut bag or sieve) can be discarded, but I store mine for a few days in the fridge to use in recipes such as Zucchini Bread.  It can also be used as a facial scrub!
Cashew Milk
  • 1 cup raw cashews
  • 4 cups water + more for soaking
  • 1 Tbsp agave syrup
  • pinch sea salt
  1. Soak cashews in enough water to cover for 4 hours or overnight.  Then drain and rinse cashews well.
  2. Measure 4 cups fresh water into the Vitamix (using the handy measurements on the side of the pitcher). Add the cashews, agave and salt.
  3. Secure the lid and start the Vitamix on low, increasing the speed slowly up to 10 and then flip the high power switch.  Process until well blended, 1 minute or more.  
  4. To decrease foam, turn off high power switch and slowly turn dial lower.  A funnel should form in the middle.  Decrease speed until funnel almost disappears, then hold at that speed for 15 seconds. Decrease again until funnel almost disappears and hold for another 15 seconds.  Slowly decrease speed to 1, then turn off.
  5. Cashew milk does not need straining. Simply pour milk into a container with lid (I use a 1 litre/quart mason jar). Store milk in the fridge for up to 5 days. Shake well before serving.
Rice Milk
  • 1/2 cup cooked brown rice
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 Tbsp maple syrup
  1. Measure 2 cups fresh water into the Vitamix (using the handy measurements on the side of the pitcher). Add the rice and maple syrup.
  2. Secure the lid and start the Vitamix on low, increasing the speed slowly up to 10 and then flip the high power switch.  Process until well blended, 1 minute or more.  
  3. To decrease foam, turn off high power switch and slowly turn dial lower.  A funnel should form in the middle.  Decrease speed until funnel almost disappears, then hold at that speed for 15 seconds. Decrease again until funnel almost disappears and hold for another 15 seconds.  Slowly decrease speed to 1, then turn off.
  4. Rice milk does not need straining. Simply pour milk into a container with lid (I use a 500mL/1 pint mason jar). Store milk in the fridge for up to 4 days. Shake well before serving.

    10 comments:

    1. Hi, I was just wondering where you got your vita-mix? I clicked on your banner, but it did not seem to work? I would like to get more information on a vita-mix. Can you also make your own nut flours with a vita-mix? Thanks, Ina

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    2. Hi Ina. I received my Vitamix as an early Christmas present this year. (Lucky me!)

      Was it the Vitamix banner ad on the left side of the screen that you clicked on? I had someone else test it for me and it worked for them. Maybe if you are outside of North America it may not work? You can go directly to http://www.vitamix.com/ to get to the Vitamix website where you can purchase your machine online. Use the code 06-005769 at checkout to get free shipping on your order.

      Yes, you can make nut flours in a Vitamix! You have to monitor it closely or you can end up with nut butter. Here is a video of someone making almond flour in her very old model Vitamix: almond flour youtube
      Her tips for almond flour: use 2 cups of almonds at a time, blend for a short time, sift flour in a metal sieve, re-blend what is left in the sieve, store fresh almond flour in the freezer.

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    3. Hi - thanks for the info. Actually, I live in Sooke BC, so not sure - maybe it is my computer? I did look up the information - wow what a machine, although a big investment which I will have to give some thought too!

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    4. Hi Ina!

      I am looking forward to getting my Vitamix 5200 in a week or so, I just ordered it online direct from the company. Use the product code and you will a discount on the shipping. I too look forward to making my own flours, seed milks, and smoothies!

      Selkie
      Victoria, B.C.

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    5. I just made the cashew milk, thank you for the recipe! It is YUMMY! I can't believe how rich it is! It almost tastes too rich. When I made rice milk it came out kind of thin. I'm not sure if I blended the rice milk long enough, though, since I had just gotten the vitamix and the speed intimidated me at first. I wonder if a combo of rice milk and cashew milk would be good. Worth a try anyway.

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    6. Hi, I made the Rice milk with Agave instead of maple syrup, I haven't tried it yet, because it seems to have separated in the container. Is this normal or did I do something wrong? I am very new to all of this. Thanks!

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      Replies
      1. Hi Agent. Agave should substitute for the syrup just fine. I'm not sure why it separated for you -- perhaps try reblending it? After it sits awhile in the fridge it tends to separate, but I just give it a shake before using.

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      2. The store bought Nut Milk you have to shake too!

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    7. I think your Vitamix 5200 recipes for every meal from green smoothies to cocktails, soups to ice-cream and nut butters to almond milk.Thanks for post a great blog.

      Vitamix Recipes

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    8. Thanks for this very useful info you have provided us. I will bookmark this for future reference and refer it to my friends. More power to your blog.

      Vitamix

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