Almond Milk

It would be interesting to know what the definition of milk is. For me milk is something that comes from animals. Wikipedia has the following to say:

Milk is a nutrient liquid produced by mammals, via the mammary glands.

Milk may also refer to:

• Almond milk, a milk-like beverage made from almonds
• Coconut milk, a milk-like substance derived from a coconut
• Grain milk, any of various milk substitutes made from fermented grain or flour
• Plant milk, any of various milk substitutes made from plants
• Rice milk, a milk-like beverage made from rice
• Soy milk, a milk-like beverage made from soybeans

It seems rather a contradiction to say "milk is a nutrient liquid produced by mammals" and then go on to use it to describe other products which have nothing to do with mammals!

However be that as it may, chilled almond milk is an enjoyable, refershing drink. So what does almond milk have going for it? There are several brands marketing almond milk as well as supermarkets' own labels. These facts come from Almond Breeze:

• Almond Breeze Unsweetened contains only 29 calories per serving, that’s 60% fewer calories than even skimmed milk.
  
  
• The Almond Breeze range contains no trans fat or cholesterol and is low in saturated fat. Eating less saturated fat can help reduce cholesterol.
  
  
• All the Almond Breeze range is free from dairy, eggs and lactose.
  
  
• There’s no soya, gluten, peanuts or MSG in the Almond Breeze range.
  
  
• Almond Breeze products are suitable for both vegans and vegetarians.
  
  
• The milk is a fantastic source of calcium - you can get 15% of your recommended daily allowance (RDA) per serving.
  
  
• The Almond Breeze range contains half the calories of soya and only a third of the saturated fat.
  
  
• Almond Breeze products are made using Californian-grown almonds, a superfood. These nuts are rich in protein, fibre and mono-unsaturated fat, which help people stay fuller for longer.

. . . and it is not only for drinking. Watch the video and then try the recipes for yourself.

Almond Breeze Apple Pancakes

Ingredients

225g plain flour
2 tsps of baking powder
2 eggs
300mls of Almond Breeze almond milk
1 tsp of vanilla extract
2 medium apples peeled and coarsely grated
Melted butter

Method

• Sieve the flour and baking powder into a large bowl and make a well in the middle.
  
  
• Pour the Almond Breeze almond milk, grated apple and vanilla extract into a jug with the egg and whisk together.
  
  
• Then pour into the flours whisking continuously until you have a smooth batter.
  
  
• Heat a non-stick pan on a medium heat and then brush with some of the melted butter.
  
  
• Then pour a ladleful of the batter onto the pan and cook till bubbles form then turn it over and cook on the other side.
  
  
• Serve with a light sprinkling of icing sugar to make them pretty!

Almond Breeze Herby Scrambled Eggs

This makes for a lovely Sunday breakfast and is far healthier than a fry up! If you are on a dairy free diet just use olive oil rather than butter to cook the eggs, they will be just as delicious.

Ingredients

8 large eggs
200mls Almond Breeze almond milk
1 tbsp each of chives and tarragon
A sprinkle of parsley
Salt and pepper
A knob of butter

Chervil also works well with this dish, as does coriander

Method

• Crack the eggs into a bowl and season.
  
  
• Pour in the Almond Breeze almond milk and gently whisk the eggs.
  
  
• Sprinkle in the herbs.
  
  
• Melt the butter in a non-stick pan and pour in you herby egg mixture turn the heat down to a low simmer and gently stir the eggs.
  
  
• Continue cooking until they are just how you like them.
  
  
• Serve on a wholemeal bagel with roasted on the vine tomatoes.

Serves 4

Editorial note: This site is not paid to promote any of the products or places featured in this newsletter.

from Around the Supermarket (July 2012)

There is always something happening in supermarkets - new products, product demonstrations, shelves reorganised so you can't find anything. Not always interesting, quite often boring and sometimes a chore but just occasionally something catches your eye, something is interesting . . .