This article was shared with permission from Mindbodygreen.com.
Everybody likes a creamy dairy alternative for snacks and smoothies, but oh the soaking and waiting that comes from making it from nuts! While I’m all about slow food, sometimes you just need something quick and easy.
Coconut is a great source of healthy fat, and trace amounts of minerals, protein, and carbohydrates. In milk form, it’s a great food to help maintain blood sugar, hormonal balance, and a focused mind. And you don’t even need a fresh coconut to make this recipe.
Use it in your coffee, smoothies, oatmeal, homemade fudgicles, or just on its own. Kids LOVE it too.
The best part? You can make this recipe in 5 minutes from just a few basic ingredients.
Coconut Milk
Ingredients
- 1 cup of coconut flakes
- 3 cups of room temperature water
- 2 Medjool dates, pitted OR 2-3 drops of liquid stevia
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Tools
You’ll need a nut milk bag or fine mesh strainer, and a funnel.
Preparation
- Place the coconut flakes and water in a blender, process. Allow it to sit for a few minutes to rehydrate the coconut. Check Instagram while you’re waiting, it helps.
- Add the dates (unless you want it sugar-free, in which case add the stevia later). Blend thoroughly.
- Get a jar, put the funnel over it, and the nut milk bag over that. Pour the entire mixture through to strain, using a spoon to scoop out any clumps of fat. Squeeze the bag to get as much liquid out as possible.
- Now add the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and stevia (if you went the sugar-free route). Mix it up and you’re done!
Coconanachoco Smoothie
Find the ingredients for this quick and delicious smoothie over at mindbodygreen.com.
Made the Coconut Milk? Try these next:
- Almond Milk Recipe
- Coconut Butter
- Honey Cashew Butter
Source:
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-20503/make-your-own-coconut-milk-in-5-minutes.html
Image Source:
http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/16178/file-13312317-jpg/images/coconut_milk_photo.jpg
