Nutty for nut milks!

Originally I posted this as part of my long Juice Fast entry, but it is really so good and a regular favorite, that I thought it deserves its own post! I promise you, it is THE easiest and most impressive food/drink you can make! And 1000 times better than any store-bought version, with the exception of Lulitonix, a local NYC brand, where I got the inspiration from. 

Nut milks are a good supplement to all the vegetable and fruit micronutrients you're consuming during a cleanse, and to help satiate any hunger. These milks are high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and contain no cholesterol, gluten or saturated fats. Adding chia seeds also adds a boost of protein, calcium, iron, potassium and fiber. A great substitute for dairy, especially when making smoothies.





NUT MILK
1  cup organic raw almonds or cashews or pistachios, soaked in filtered water
3  cups (350 ml) filtered water
5 pitted medjool dates 
½  tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp chia seeds 

• Cover the nuts with ample filtered water and let soak for at least 5 hours or overnight (for almonds, up to 48 hours.) If you want to take the skins off the nuts, blanch them quickly in boiling water and the nuts will easily pop out. 
• Drain and rinse. Blend with 1½  cups filtered water (in a blender or handheld blender). 
• In batches, using a fine mesh sieve and the back of a spoon, strain and lightly press out out the milk. You could also use a cheesecloth (or nut bag) to squeeze as much milk out as possible (but I don't have one). Note: I didn't have any pulp at all when I strained the cashews, and the milk was super creamy!
• Blend the strained milk with the pitted dates and cinnamon for sweetness and flavor. 
• Stir in chia seeds and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes for the seeds to activate them.
• Spread out and dry the leftover nut pulp in the oven at 325°F (160°C) for 20-30 minutes*, tossing occasionally to make your own nut meal (with the skins on is good for breading) / nut flour (blanched is good for baking, doesn't have a bitter taste). Let cool completely before storing in the freezer. Run this in the food processor for a fine grind. 

*When I don't have time to dry out the nut meal, I store it in the freezer. I defrost a few batches worth overnight. Usually, the day before I make Homemade Granola, drying it out at the same time and temperature as the granola.