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Chocolate Almond Milk

You can skip adding the cocoa to make a creamy nut milk to use on cereal etc. I find this milk is definitely best on the day it is made and it will separate in the fridge. Give it a shake before using to combine. The dates add a nice sweetness but if you need to sweeten it more use a little honey.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup 150g almonds (or other nuts/ seeds/ rolled oats)
  • 6 pitted dates
  • pinch of salt
  • 3 cups water
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons cocoa [OR *carob powder]

Instructions

  • The day/ night before place the almonds in a bowl and cover with water. Soak for at least 12 hours. (see note)
  • The next day, drain and rinse the almonds thoroughly. Place the swollen almonds into a blender or food processor with the dates (if your dates are hard then put them in a bowl and pour over boiling water, leave for a few minutes then drain). Add a pinch of salt (to bring out the flavours) and blend until the almonds are a fine meal and the dates have broken down.
  • With the engine running slowly pour in the water until the mix is frothy and milky.
  • Pour through a fine sieve or a cheese-cloth lined sieve/ colander. Use a spoon to press as much liquid out of the ground nuts as possible. Or if using cheese cloth gather up the edges and twist to make a ball, squeezing out the milk.
  • Add the vanilla and either drink as it is or return to the blender and add the cocoa/ carob pulsing to combine. Pour into glasses and drink immediately, or pour into a bottle and store in the fridge. Drink within 3 days, shaking well to combine.

Notes

Soaking almonds in water overnight releases anti-nutrients including enzyme inhibitors and phytic acid into the soaking water. Phytic acid is found in whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds and can bind with essential minerals in the body such as iron and calcium preventing their absorption. Soaking nuts and grains overnight or at least for several hours before using helps release the anti-nutrients. Then drain and wash thoroughly in a sieve under running water.
*Carob powder is similar to cocoa, however, unlike bitter cocoa it is naturally sweet and doesn't have the intensity of chocolate. It is also less stimulating as it doesn't contain theobromine a compound found in cocoa that has similar effect as caffeine.