Sometimes you just want to try something new! I remember trying coconut milk ice cream sandwiches and liking them. But I know that the processed crap that passes for coconut milk is probably worse than the organic milk we buy so I began to wonder how hard it is to make. Turns out it isn't hard at all and a natural by product happens to be coconut flour! Who would have thunk?
Anywho, apparently, almond milk is made in much the same manner, go figure! So, here are the recipes, I will be trying the coconut milk recipe first as I want to make my coconut pineapple piña colada wings and it seems to be more suited for use in ice cream. (For more ice cream recipes, type ice cream in the search box on this blog. It really is a shame and a bit embarrassing about the ice cream posts, but just in case you and ice cream have the same star crossed love affair...)
It is really quite easy if you have a blender or a food processor.
1 cup dried unsweetened coconut flakes or raw almonds
2 cups water
Soak the coconuts or almonds to soften them. The coconuts will need to soak 2 hours and the almonds will need to soak 8 to 12 hours.
Blend well. This means 3 to 5 minutes in a blender or 2 minutes in a food processor.
FOR ALMONDS: This will yield a very thick almond paste. You will likely want to add about 6 more cups of water to make the almond milk into milk.
FOR COCONUTS: You may want to add 4 teaspoons of sugar if you would like sweetened coconut milk. (Perhaps for a recipe such as the wings linked above.)
Pour through a cheese cloth* and squeeze to strain. (NOTE TO SELF: Keep the pulp!)
Refrigerate up to 5 days. You can boil it to make it last longer if you want.
NOW, THE PULP CAN BE USED TO MAKE FLOUR.
Simply spread on a baking sheet (which can be lined with parchment paper) and put it in the oven on the lowest setting until it dries out. Blend it until it is finer, and voila! Flour!
P.S. I have read that you can make milk twice from your coconut pulp. So before making coconut flour, use your pulp to make milk again. This time use a 2:3 ration of coconut to water.
*Cheese cloth can also be used. I have also seen bloggers use a cotton pillow case and a 18-24 inch square of 100 percent polyester Swiss voile, which is what I recommend.
Now you can use your milks and flours to make stuff!! Be sure to use recipes that have been tried. Unless you have time, money, and the patience to experiment, in which case, please send me the recipes you make!
Almond flour is good for breading your meats for frying as it less absorbent than the coconut flour. Your coconut flour is better for baking things like breads, pancakes, and cakes. When you bake with coconut flour, you will inevitably have a higher protein food as you need to use more eggs than with wheat flour.
Below are links to some recipes that I want to try myself!
Coconut milk ice cream: http://mamasweeds.com/2013/08/13/homemade-coconut-milk-ice-cream/
Coconut four brownies: http://blog.radiantlifecatalog.com/bid/62891/Cocoa-Brownies-with-Organic-Coconut-Flour
Coconut flour bread: http://blog.radiantlifecatalog.com/bid/62722/Home-Baked-Grain-Free-Organic-Coconut-Flour-Bread
Coconut flour pancakes: http://www.nourishingdays.com/2011/11/grain-free-and-dairy-free-fluffy-coconut-flour-pancakes-revisited/
Almond milk chocolate frozen custard: http://minimalistbaker.com/dairy-free-chocolate-ice-cream/
I don't know what xantham gum is, but I plan on putting a banana in to thicken and sweeten. Remember that it needs to be slightly sweeter when warm for it to taste right cold!
Nutella using coconut or almond milk: http://allsortsofpretty.com/how-to-make-nutella-and-skip-those-nasty-additives/
FINALLY, THESE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH ALMOND OR COCONUT MILK OR FLOUR, BUT I JUST WANTED TO ADD THEM ON HERE.
How to make almond butter: http://allsortsofpretty.com/how-to-make-almond-butter/
How to make coconut oil: http://therenegadekitchen.com/how-to-make-coconut-milk-and-oil/
UPDATE: Milkshake using banana as a thickener and base, but it still want to experiment with using the eggs as well! http://allsortsofpretty.com/clean-eating-chocolate-milkshake/
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