Hemp milk is by far the easiest dairy milk substitute. There is no cooking and, with the Vitamix, there is no need to run it through a filtration bag unless it is being given through a gastric tube. It is very calorie dense with lots of protein. It tastes great as is but I’ve added a couple of ingredients for folks who like their milk substitutes a little sweeter.
Ingredients
- 4oz (114g) hemp hearts
- 1 1/2 cups of water
- 4 Organic Medjool dates-pitted (about 1-1.5oz)
- 2 cups of water
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla
Directions
- Place hemp hearts, dates and 1 1/2 cups of water into the Vitamix
into the 32oz container and secure lid.
- Select Variable 1.
- Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
- Blend for 30-40 seconds.
- Turn machine off and remove lid.
- Add the remaining 2 cups of water and the vanilla and secure lid.
- Select Variable 1.
- Turn machine on and blend for 10 seconds.
Food Tips:
- If you are buying pitted dates, it is a good idea to slice them lengthwise before putting them in the Vitamix
- If you have time, soak the dates and hemp seed for 30 minutes before blending. This reduces the amount of sediment and drastically reduces the need for straining or filtering. NOTE: IF THE MILK IS TO BE USED IN ANY TYPE OF GASTRIC TUBE, STRAINING OR FILTERING IS NECESSARY.
- Store hemp seed in a mason jar. It is easier to pour the seed into the Vitamix container than to scoop it out of a container with a spoon. Also, store the seeds in the refrigerator. Hemp seed is high in fat so they can go rancid quickly especially if you live in a hot/humid climate region.
- One cup of fresh hemp seed milk has about 194 calories. It has 10 grams of protein and 14 grams of fat so, unless you have a high caloric need, I suggest sticking to the 1/2 cup serving size. Hemp milk will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Drink it straight or add it to smoothies. It is also a great base for blenderized meals.
- As with all “Super Foods” take the time to research and steer clear of the idea that “if less is good, more is better.” This is very important if you are dealing with specialized or restricted diets, on medications or have various health conditions.
Time Tip: Freeze any portion of the milk that will not be used in 3-4 days in ice cube trays. Store the cubes in labeled and dated freezer bags for up to 6 months. Since each cube is about an ounce, you can quickly grab what you need without wasting any.
Money tip: Shop around before buying hemp hearts. They can run as high as 12 dollars a pound in some stores and on line. Winco has the lowest price at $7.02 a pound. They can be found in the bulk food section for much less than the prepackaged bags. It is good to alternate seed/nut milks. If you are on a tight budget, alternate the types of nut/seed/bean milks you make to save money. This is also important especially for individuals on blenderized diets to insure balanced nutrition.
