Make your own soy milk for a healthy alternative to cow's milk.
Soy milk is a delicious and healthy alternative to cow's milk, especially for people who are lactose-intolerant. Soy milk is rich in nutrients and vitamins such as protein and vitamin A. Soy milk can also be expensive and is sometimes made with preservatives. Avoid this by making your own inexpensive and organic soy milk at home with white soy beans, rather than fresh green soy beans. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Instructions
1. Wash the soybeans. This will remove any pesticides still left on the beans. Pick out any discolored or broken beans.
2. Cover the soybeans in cold water. Add enough water so that the water level is at least 3 inches above the beans. The beans will plump up as they soak; covering them completely will prevent them from reaching the surface of the water.
3. Soak the soybeans for 10 to 16 hours. Discard the water and rinse the soybeans thoroughly. Heat the soybeans in a microwave for two minutes to destroy the enzymes that give the beans their bean-like flavor.
4. Add the soybeans and 1 qt. of water to a blender. Blend the soybeans thoroughly until the pulp is smooth.
5. Place the cheesecloth into a colander. Place the colander over a large pot and pour the blended soybeans into the colander to strain them. Fold the cheesecloth and press it to squeeze out the rest of the soy milk. Discard the pulp, called "okra," or save it to use in bread recipes.
6. Bring the milk to a boil and boil it for five to 10 minutes, watching it closely so that it doesn't boil over. Boiling the milk also helps destroy the enzymes that create the bean-like flavor.
7. Remove the soy milk from the heat. Add 1 tbsp. of honey, fruit juice or sugar to sweeten the soy milk, if your prefer.
8. Allow the soy milk to cool and then store it in the refrigerator. The soy milk will only stay fresh for three days because it doesn't contain any preservatives.
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