Habits are a funny thing - they are sometimes so difficult to break, but often a change from something that has become a habit (good or bad) feels good. I have been going through some drastic changes during the first quarter of this year and they have really helped me to re-focus as well as made me feel very energised and positive.
Cutting down on gluten and dairy has been much easier than I thought. I haven't done this due to any medical condition, but more because this feels better for me and my body. I am loving gluten-free baking and discovering alternative ways to cook and bake. I am also very excited to try dairy-free options, like this home-made rice milk and the nut milks I've made in the past.
This spicy rice milk drink reminds me of chai mix, but I haven't added any black tea in it. If you're after a stronger taste, you could easily add black tea in the mix. There are a few different ways of making rice milk, but I like this one because of its so easy and results in very creamy milk.
Spiced rice milk drink*
{Rice milk}**
1/2 cup brown rice (long or medium grain)
6-8 cups water
{Spiced rice milk drink}
1 1/2 cups
5-10 cardamom pods
1 cinnamon stick
knob of fresh ginger
5 cloves
1 tsp natural vanilla extract (or 1 vanilla bean)
raw honey, to serve
*Start this recipe by making the rice milk up to 2,5 hours before.
** This recipe is from Food.com website. Makes about 1 litre of milk, consume the milk within 2 days.
1. Place the brown rice and water in a saucepan. Bring to boil and let simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the rice is very soft.
2. Place the cooked rice along with the water into a food processor and blitz until very smooth and creamy.
3. Let the mixture to stand for 45-60 minutes, then drain through a fine sieve or a muslin. (I had the left-over rice with umeboshi paste and it was delicious!)
4. To make the spiced rice milk drink place all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to boil. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let sit, covered, for about 10-15 minutes. Drain off the spices and sweeten with raw honey, if you wish. Enjoy warm.
I've not had rice milk before and it doesn't sound all that difficult to make :) I like the spiciness and honey you've added, warm, sweet and spicy! YUM~
ReplyDeletecongrats on making health changes that feel right for you - the recipes look no less delicious for it either!
ReplyDeleteUnlike you, I had the hardest time cutting down on gluten and dairy when I discovered that I was intolerant to it.
ReplyDeleteEver since I started cutting down on dairy, rice milk and nut milks have been an essential item in my pantry. I always buy them from the store, and never knew that making rice milk is so simple:)
Ps. I think your photos are simply stunning!
kudos on successfully making a healthy change! i really is harder to do than said. making your own rice milk is nothing ive ever thought of before! so interesting
ReplyDeleteThis looks really lovely, i haven't actually tried rice milk but i bet this homemade version is the best you could have :)
ReplyDeleteooo Maria your so innovative!! im not much of a fan of chai but i could certainly give rice milk a try :)
ReplyDeleteA wonderfully spicy drink!
ReplyDeleteI try to eat less crabs and gluten, because I've come to the conclusion that I feel better when I follow this diet...
Cheers,
Rosa
I've experimented with rice / soy milk and dairy in the past. The rice seemed somehow more like 'milk' to me. This drink looks really good - I love that you used fresh ginger. Will have to try it for myself!
ReplyDeleteIt never occurs to me to use ginger. that's a great idea. i love that ingredient
ReplyDeleteI love the you food style, Maria! I really do! It just looks straight out of a country magazine (and I'm a huge devotee of Country Style magazine!
ReplyDeleteYeah tell me about it. Breaking old habits is difficult. Lately I have got all interested in gluten free baking by many fellow friend bloggers but I'm a bit holding back. This makes me try harder!
ReplyDeleteohhh this is how you make rice milk! didn't know that! ive started using almond milk lately to replace soy/milk...it's hard!
ReplyDeleteLove test you are experimenting with dairy & gluten free. Adds a new dimension to food and the way we feel! This rice milk looks delightful, simple too!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds wonderful! I've been missing having a warm calming drink at night, because I don't want caffeine but am so sick of herbal teas. Thank you for this clever recipe!
ReplyDeleteI've had rice milk and the nut milks and I like them all. I always had them store bought and never thought to steep it myself. That sounds it would be wonderful drink but very aromatic and soothing to make at the same time.
ReplyDeleteThis looks so healthy and delicious it's making me feel virtuous by just looking at it!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your new eating regime. I do find that I feel better when I cut down on bread and dairy but I'm not as disciplined as you when it comes to eating :P
ReplyDeleteThat is so interesting about the changes you have been making. I am in the process of getting off caffiene and reducing meat, dairy, sugar and wheat. The dairy is proving harder for me than I thought it would be. My daughter drinks rice milk but I buy the organic, shelf stable box kind to cut down on time in the morning but yours looks so wonderful I might have to try it when I can!
ReplyDeleteI love chai and this sounds delicious! You healthy thing, you. I really need to take some lessons when I'm back in Sydney :)
ReplyDeleteI have also cut out dairy and refined sugars/flours since the new year. That's what my body craves and it sounds like yours does, too! I haven't made homemade milk yet but this looks like a great place to start. I look forward to your new gluten-free and dairy-free recipes!
ReplyDeleteRice milk sounds too exciting and wonderful, Maria! Best wishes for your gluten free diet plan.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds really easy.I have never tried making milk at home.I would like to make pudding with this rice milk.
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious! Reminds me a little of horchata, the Mexican spiced almond-rice drink that's super yummy too. Changes are a bit scary but there's certainly a special energy to them - keep up the good work :)
ReplyDeletewow - this looks really yummy! i didn't know you made rice milk that way, so that's a pretty handy thing to know :)
ReplyDeleteNice post! glad i found this blog!
ReplyDeletecheck out mine? I'm a photographer!
www.electricbrandon.com
If you want, follow it and I'll do the same.
Rice milk sounds yummie, specially with all the spices in it...the pictures are awesome. Have a great week ahead Maria :-)
ReplyDeleteI am anxious to try the milk. It looks delicious. I'm glad to hear you believe there are health benefits associated with your new way of eating. I hope you have a wonderful evening. Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the recipe! I'll be making this very soon.
ReplyDeleteI was just contemplating making a rice milk panna cotta, and now I'm thinking of adding some of these lovely spices. Your drink sounds delicious with the spices and honey!
ReplyDeleteis that how easy it is to make rice milk? wow, thanks for sharing maria
ReplyDeleteDefinitely worthwhile to try different alternatives! And I like the idea of spiced rice milk :P
ReplyDeleteI have never tired rice milk before. I love chai so I think I need to give this a try! :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks gorgeous Maria! I love Chai, especially in winter. I will have to try this.
ReplyDeleteI love it when you are challenged to come up with new and interesting recipes, like you are with going gluten free. This is how I feel coming up with vegetarian recipes. I think that really helps you learn great new skills and a new appreciation for new and interesting foods.
I have really been enjoying using rice milk lately instead of lactose free cow's milk, but haven't made any myself. Would be cool to compare the two. Love the thought of spicing it up too.
ReplyDeletehealthy and delicious
ReplyDeleteout of this world delicious! the chai flavor has to be one of my favorites!
ReplyDeleteI'm making this this afternoon!!! This will be my new coffee creamer! So excited!
ReplyDeleteCupcake
(thank you!!!)
This is such a helpful post - I must try making my own rice milk. So pretty :)
ReplyDeleteI am making this and I recommend putting a lid on the pan when cooking the rice and adding more water. Currently I am trying to strain it with little success despite the added water. More experimentation needed :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the feedback!
ReplyDeleteI have made this quite a few times now and have been happy with the result. Hope you like it!
Maria
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Maria,
ReplyDeleteDo you think the left over rice would be good for your brown rice and fig tartlets recipe? http://scandifoodie.blogspot.com/2011/05/brown-rice-and-fig-tartlets.html
(that would so be 2 birds at once)
thanx :)
Miri
Hi Miri,
ReplyDeleteYou could give it a go, but I'm not sure how it'd turn out - it could turn out to be a bit mushy.
Thanks!
Maria
x