Quinoa Milk
This recipe is more creating a milk from quinoa. Quinoa, a "grain" from South America ('tis actually a seed), is a great source of Iron and calcium, as well as being a complete protein. This makes it a good choice for individuals who (for whatever reason) do not consume dairy products. The recipe is based off of the one found here: http://www.kimmykokonut.com/2008/05/22/teaching-and-cooking-in-peru-with-food-pictures/ Please note: this milk has a consistency of thin porridge before straining. After straining, depending on the amount of water added, it should have a consistency of rice milk. This milk has a nutty flavor. It tastes a bit like unsweetened soy milk. You can of course, add sweeteners and flavorings to your quinoa milk (I recommend almond extract) so you can probably get it to a taste that is very similar to commercially purchased rice or almond milk. Good luck!
DIRECTIONS
- 1. Place the uncooked quinoa in a fine-mesh seive and wash, wash, wash it. Why? Quinoa seeds have a bitter coating called saponin that you want to wash off.).
- 2. Put the washed quinoa into a glass container with a lid. Cover the seeds with water, put the lid on it, pop it in the fridge overnight.
- 3. The next morning, pour the soaked quinoa into a seive and wash it again.
- 4. Put the quinoa into a pot with 2 cups fresh water (not the water it soaked in) and a pinch of salt. Bring it to a boil, covered.
- 5. Turn the heat down and simmer the quinoa (covered) until all the water is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
- 6. place the cooked quinoa in a blender with 2 more cups of water.
- 7. Blend on high for 1 mkinute, then add water until the milk reaches your desired consistency. You would add any desired sweeteners and flavorings at this point.
- 8. Strain the quinoa milk through a fine cheesecloth (a clean napkin will do) into a bowl. Note that, even with the straining, there will still be flecks of quinoa in the milk. These will settle out later, so don't worry.
- 9. Pour the quinoa milk into a clean quart-size jar, and stick it in thew fridge to cool.
- Note that the milk may seperate a little. This is okay. Just give it a little stir.
- The milk will keep about a week, unless you freeze it (I guess you could freeze it? I've never tried.).
- Happy quinoa-milk making!