Homemade Cashew Milk

As I have gotten older, I have found that my body doesn't handle dairy the way it used to. I recently took a trip to Rome where I indulged in daily cappuccinos, cheeses and gelato. Everything tasted amazing, but I felt horrible after the trip. I am not a milk drinker myself and use organic whole milk sparingly, but I wanted to have an option that was easy to make, delicious and free of all of the preservatives and the extra ingredients that you find in store-bought milk alternatives. I have an incredibly creamy and tasty recipe for almond milk, but it has a genuine rich almond flavor, which while delicious, wasn't what I wanted. I was looking for something that was mild like milk without all of the uncomfortable side-effects that I now seem to have, so I present to you cashew milk! This recipe couldn't be easier to make at home, is completely modifiable to your taste preferences and satisfies the doesn't-taste-like-nut-milk need! It is light, refreshing and the best part is there is no need for a nut bag or straining- the milk zips right up in a blender!



Ingredients:
makes about 1 quart

1/2c raw cashews
3c water
pinch of sea salt
100% pure maple syrup
optional- pure vanilla extract, cinnamon 


​Recipe:

1. Cover 1/2c cashews in water and soak for at least 6hrs to overnight. (If you want to make quickly, pour boiling water over raw cashews and let steep for 30 mins. Continue with steps 2-5)

2. Once soft, drain and rinse your cashews

3. Add cashews, 1c water and sea salt to blender and blend well. Add the other 2c of water and continue blending. If you prefer an even thinner milk, add more water a little at a time until you've found your perfect milk :)

4. If you prefer some sweetness, add a little bit of maple syrup at a time and taste. A little goes a long way. Here you may also add a dash of vanilla extract or cinnamon, or be a purist and keep it plain

5. Store your milk in the refrigerator and enjoy within 5-7 days. You may notice natural separation in your milk if it has been sitting for a while, so just shake it up and enjoy

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