DIY almond milk and a bonus fruit smoothie recipe

Learn to make your own almond milk (it's easy!) -- plus how to use it in a delicious fruit smoothie.

I've always been a little freaked out by nut milk when I see it in the store. Is it nuts or is it milk? And since there's no milk in nuts, what the hell is it?

Plus nut mlk always seemed a little too non-mainstream for me. You know, like it's something only vegans or latte-ordering hipsters would drink. Right up there with soy milk.

But I'm happy to report I stand corrected. Nut milk rocks. Specifically, almond milk rocks. And is wicked easy to make, which you know is criterion number one for The Ninj's favorite recipes.

Other than planning ahead the night before, making a homemade quart of nut milk takes about three minutes. Not kidding. It's simple: soak the nuts, pulverize the crap out of them, mixed with water and a little natural sweetener, strain the whole thing and -- VOILA! -- nut milk.

 

Mr. Ninj went bat-shit crazy over the almond milk I made. He eats it with my homemade granola almost every morning now. I have been using it in place of regular milk in my favorite yogurt fruit smoothie. It gives my smoothie just a little bit of nutty flavor without the grittiness that can often come from trying to add nuts to smoothies.

I've been making only almond milk but you can use whatever nuts you like. Cashew milk? Pistachio milk? Why, that sounds exotic! What a hipster you will be!

In addition to the recipe for almond milk, I'm also including my favorite fruit smoothie recipe, which is delightful with the almond milk. Sorry the photo is craptacular and doesn't do it justice.

Are you a fan of almond milk? Have you ever made your own? Leave a comment: The Ninj wants to know.

DIY Almond Milk

(adapted from Bon Appetit)


Ingredients:
1 cup raw almonds
4 teaspoons honey or maple syrup
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions:
Put the nuts in a bowl and cover with 2 inches of water. Let stand at least 14 hours.

Drain the nuts and put them in a blender. Add four cups very hot (but not boiling) water, as well as the honey and salt. Puree the bejesus out of it until smooth (takes a few minutes). Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl; discard the solids. Transfer the milk to a container and chill.

Easiest Fruit Smoothie with Almond Milk

Ingredients:
1 cup low-fat vanilla greek yogurt
1 cup almond milk
1 banana
1 cup fresh or frozen fruit (I usually use frozen strawberries or peaches)
1-2 tablespoons peanut butter (optional -- for added protein)

Directions:
Put all the ingredients in a blender and puree the bejesus out of them until well blended. Makes 2 servings.

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