vanilla almond milk

my husband is obsessed. 

of course, i wanted to try to homemake it. 

i thought it'd take about a gazillion expensive almonds to "juice" them into milk. 

but, i did some research and found that it's really quite affordable and set out to try it immediately. 

i chose a vanilla almond milk to try, naturally slightly sweetened with dates. 

we have a juicer so it was incredibly easy too but i'd imagine it'd be very easy with a blender as well.  

plus, zero waste as i used the almond pulp for strawberry almond muffins later on that week. 

see? surprisingly affordable. 

we whipped up a whole quart from only one cup of almonds and drank the whole thing in about two sittings. 

hope you try it and become addicted as well!

Vanilla Almond Milk

Makes about a quart.

Adapted from a couple sources online.

*Make sure and start your almonds 8-24 hours in advance!*

1 cup whole almonds

Filtered water

3-6 dried dates

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla 

Put the almonds in a bowl and cover with filtered water.

Soak anywhere from 8-24 hours.

They should be nice and plump from a 24 hour soak. 

Then drain and rinse, rinse, rinse!

When you're ready to make the milk, take the dates, pour boiling water over them, and let stand for five minutes.

After five minutes, they'll be soft(er).  Drain and set aside.

Mix about 3-3 1/2 cups of filtered water with the almonds and begin to juice them, adding about 1/2 cup water and almonds to the juicer at a time.  Juice dates with some water as well.

Alternatively, you can blend the water, almonds, and dates all at once in the blender until completely smooth.

Next, strain through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer, in a bottle or container.

Reserve almond pulp for another use.

Then, add your vanilla, chill, and enjoy!

Mmmm.

Almond pulp muffins coming soon!