Making Almond Milk

If you have a Vita-Mix or a good quality blender, you should try making your own almond milk. This recipe is adapted from Rawsome by Brigitte Mars.

Soak 1 cup of almonds in water overnight. (I buy organic almonds from Vitamin Cottage for $5.99/lb, which is the best price for organic almonds I have seen.)

3 or 4 pitted dates, depending on how sweet you want it. Just make sure to remove the pits! (Meedjool dates are really tasty and usually pretty soft. If its another kind of date, you should soak them for 20 min. first to soften)

Drain and rinse the almonds (this removes some sort of enzyme and make it easier to digest).

Then add the almonds, dates, and 4 cups of filtered water to your Vita-Mix and blend. I'm not sure how long it takes with the Vita-Mix but I leave my blender on for 2 minutes or so.

Strain the milk. Save the pulp for baking or making dips or almond cheese.

I strain mine in a fine mesh colander but you can buy nutmilk bags online. I just pour mine through the colander into a large bowl and let it sit for an hour or more until there is just a thick pulp left in the strainer.

This stuff is so yummy. Drink it straight or use it in your tea, hot cereal or recipes, etc.

Broccoli & Potato Soup

2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1/2 tsp coriander
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp sea salt
3 pounds potatoes, peeled and diced
6 cups water
1 pound broccoli
1 Tbsp. chia seeds
8 oz. monterey jack cheese
1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan

Heat olive oil in a large dutch oven on medium. Add the spices and cook for 2 or 3 minutes. Add potatoes and stir to coat with oil. Cook for about 5 minutes, then add the water. Turn heat up to boiling then turn down to a simmer and cover. Wash and chop the broccoli, then add to the pot when the potatoes are starting to get tender. Add the broccoli and cook for 10 minutes. Add the chia seeds. Cook until thickened. Stir in the cheeses.