Necessity is the mother of invention. I used to hear that phrase a lot as a child. It started dissipating as I grew up. I wonder why. Maybe it was because times changed and the convenience and affordability of modern life ensured that we didn't have to work very hard to get something. I believe I had forgotten all about that phrase until this morning when a situation arose. And my necessity gave rise to an invention of sorts.
As usual there was a flurry of manic activity early this morning. School hats and jumpers flying everywhere, toasts popping out of the toaster, books being stuffed in bags, spoons clinking on bowls as cereal happily swirled in milk and me yelling (not with anger mind you!) to make sure everyone and their bits and bobs got safely tucked into the car before we headed out. When I got back home a mere five minutes later, I was really looking forward to having my bowl of cereal and a cup of tea. But I discovered that all the milk was gone. I didn't want to head out to the shops and I didn't want soy milk today (because we had soy milk). I can be very adamant and fussy sometimes because it makes for an interesting life. So I made my own milk.
An hour and half later after pottering around filming and photographing the entire process, I sat down to a delicious bowl of my favourite breakfast cereal swimming in homemade coconut oat milk sweetened with maple syrup and topped with fresh strawberries. It was nearly lunch time, but it was worth it. The actual milk takes only about 30 minutes to make. I will still need to head out to buy regular milk because alas, it is quite impossible to recreate cow milk all by yourself with nothing but chickens in the backyard. But the point is Necessity is really the mother of invention when you want it to be. Have you scoffed modern amenities in the face and let necessity lead you to an invention lately?
Have a good weekend! xx
S
** recipe updated - May 29, 2017 **
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COCONUT OAT MILK
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup shredded coconut, dry
- 6 cups water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
Instructions
- Soak oats and coconut in 3 cups of water each in separate jars for 15 minutes. Drain and rinse the oats. Add fresh water (3 cups) to the oat jar.
- Combine soaked oats, coconut and all the water in the jug of a blender (I used my Vitamix) and process until very smooth for a few minutes.
- Using a very fine sieve, strain the milk.
- At this point you can add salt and maple syrup to the strained milk. Stir well.
- Store in a tall glass bottle for 2-3 days in the fridge.
What would the nutrition info be for this?
Would it froth for a latte?
I am not sure about the nutrition info. I would try adding the ingredients and quantities in an online nutrition calculator. This will definitely froth for a latte, although with non-dairy milk, I find that the froth subsides quite quickly.
Hi!
I was wondering how many dates should I use if I want to use them instead of syrup??
Thanks!!
6-8 pitted dates should be just sweet enough I think. x
I have tried coconut milk, and I've tried oat milk. I can imagine the two would be great together - albeit rather filling though, no?
Just gave this milk a go! Rinsed the oats and used fresh water then strained using a nut milk bag - not slimey at all (well, maybe just a tiny bit but in a good way that thickens the milk!). Am using this milk to soak some oats with a few other ingredients for Bircher Muesli in the morning. Will give the leftovers a go in a smoothie. Thanks for the recipe!
Gorgeous photos; I love the 2-color jug with the wide spout; any advice on where I could purchase this (possibly even in Europe)?
Oh my word--this is an artists work-stunning
I agree with your reader here!
I am loving the thought of adding this to curries. But just one little thing, can I use instant oats instead of rolled ones?
I suppose you could. Definitely try it. Although you might not need to soak them because they are already quite broken down.
Thanks for sharing this. This is really something new and I'm just glad that there are lots of coconuts in our country so it'll be easy for me to try this. Also, I'm curious if drinking too much coconut milk will give you LBM?
Love the coconut oat combo, I have made both but never together. My dairy-free son will love this. Thanks!
Exquisite! That is something I have never made or even tasted, but I'm sure the flavor of that milk is heavenly.
Cheers,
Rosa
I love this slice of life post Sneh. I once tried to make oat milk and ended up with a jug full of slime. I am now inspired to give it another go with your recipe! I love the coconut/ oat combo.
Anna, you could try rinsing the oats after soaking them. This helps get rid of slime. I have now added this in the notes. x
I understand because I don't like soy milk myself but I don't know whether a lack of cow's milk would push me into the necessity of making oat and coconut milk. I do however admire your obsessive creativity and I'm totally envious of your backyard chooks.
I do love soy milk. And on most days I wouldn't work so hard, probably just cook a couple of eggs. It was just one of those days, I felt like taking the time to explore ... on an empty stomach, lol.