Friday, July 07, 2006

Soyajoy Soymilk Maker

I make my own fresh organic soymilk using this machine from www.soymilkmaker.com. I bought my first one several years ago at a time when finances were very, very tight. I convinced Dave it was a worth while investment because we could afford milk with it and it could quickly pay for itself. I also ordered a 50 lb bag of soybeans via mail.... the shipping cost more than the beans on this. Either way, when I did the math even with outrageous shipping costs I knew I could save money making my own soymilk and it would cost me about 32 cents per 6 cups of fresh organic soymilk. When we first got it, made the milk accroding to the recipe the company gave and then no one would drink it, I cried. It tasted watery and flavorless. After a sleepless night and many hours at the library on the internet searching for a fix I had a discussion with a woman from the dessert on Vegsource (I used to visit there alot, but not so much anymore) and this is the ending recipe we came up with. My family has been drinking it up ever since, so much that now we own two and my 6'3" tall of a son can consume without reservation. Oh, I also have found a local source of beans so I don't have to pay shipping anymore.

Note that fresh soy milk has no sodium, cow milk does... quite a bit actually and it is also alot higher in carbs. Here is my personal soymilk maker recipe and we make 2 batches this way at least every other day, sometimes daily. Because I buy in bulk I now am able to make a batch for drinking at under 30 cents per 6 cups. When I look at the prices in the store and know how much my family goes through I know this was a very wise purchase. Our machines have paid for themselves many times over. And I have had my first machine for about 5 years now... it still runs fine.

DORI'S SOY MILK RECIPE
Soak this recipe in water at least 8 hours. I keep two soaking in the frig ready to go at any time, but always use it within three days.
1/3 C soybeans
1 Tbsp long grain brown rice
1 Tbsp raw cashews
1/2 Tbsp whole oat berries
When the soymilk maker is done (15 minutes) I pour the hot soymilk into the milk jars shown in the picture above. To the milk I add 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt and 2 Tbsp - 4 Tbsp sweetener of choice and a splash of vanilla. Shake and serve cold. I used to strain it painstakiningly because the family would get pickly about a slightly thicker settling at the bottom of the jar. They are used to it now and we also shake it before each use, so it's not as noticeable. My kids love carob milk... to do this add 1/4 C carob powder to cold milk and shake well and sweeten to taste (Don't add it when it is hot or the milk will separate into curds).

I also had the opportunity to go to the Farmer's Market yesterday. Here is what I bought:
1 pint cherry tomatoes
3 bunches of beets (I didn't plant these this year)
1 bunch of organic flowers (check out the pix, isn't it wonderful!)
1 jar of organic raspberry jelly
1 loaf organic roasted garlic European style sourdough bread

And about the bread......
It is awesome as a panini sandwich on my little george grill. I made seitan/tofu patties earlier this week, grilled it and then added Dreena's yammy hummous to my bread and stuck the whole sandwich in the grill for a super yummy meal.

Here's my panini supper sandwich last night, side of fresh salad and cherry tomatoes (italian dressing) and a slice of honeydew melon.

After we finished eating last night Dave told me, "I am so glad we did not have to have meat sacrificed to the idols". It was a biblical old testament problem that is occuring today. I told him I am glad our dollars refuse to support those practices, maybe my family alone won't starve the cruel factory farming practices but I can guarantee you we will not support it! As I continue to read John Robbins Diet for a New America, I am beginning to realize I am changing and that there will be no more Mrs Nice Dori.

Oh, but here is how I looked after my meal :)
Have a great Friday!

10 comments:

Dori said...

P.S. The wonderful glass jars were purchased from an organic, free range dairy producer. Fresh soymilk is TO HOT to place in plastic and I think that there may be issues with food stored in plastic anyways.

MeloMeals said...

You are freaken AWESOME!!! I will be giving this a try tomorrow (I have to find oatberries.. never heard of them).. I also ordered 50lbs of soybeans a while back, unfortunately I wanted to give some away, so I listed 10lbs on freecycle and when the man came my husband gave him the 40lbs instead of the 10lb! uugghh.. oh well, I just hope they were consumed and not wasted. I can't wait to try this.

urban vegan said...

dori, you continually amaze me.

Carrie™ said...

I've heard of quite a few people making their own milk. I didn't realize it would be so super cheap. Wow, that's amazing.
Your sandwich looks really, really good. I like grilled sandwiches. And very pretty flowers. Enjoy them. Happy Friday to you too!

t. said...

...and welcome Fierce Dori!
Food fight is always a good thing!

About your soy milk maker, I want to know more! Unfortunately these are not sold here and therefore I am trying to figure out if I can make the milk myself. Any tip on that?

KleoPatra said...

Oh wow, to make my own soymilk. Dori, you are a woman to be reckoned with!! Iowa should be proud to call you a resident!!!

Another fab post, thank you.

Anonymous said...

I have been debating whether or not to get a soymilk maker. I was afraid it wouldn't taste very good. However, after reading your post and armed with your recipe, I think I'm going to make the plunge and buy one. I'll let you know how it works out. I just found your site and can't wait to try some of your other recipes.

funwithyourfood said...

I'm not sure i'm ready to take on the task of making my own milk just yet. But I really want to because most soy milks i find are sweetened and I don't like that : P

Teddy

ps I'm HOOMMEE from upstate ny :)

funwithyourfood said...

I'm not sure i'm ready to take on the task of making my own milk just yet. But I really want to because most soy milks i find are sweetened and I don't like that : P

Teddy

ps I'm HOOMMEE from upstate ny :)

Frugal OR Localvore said...

Wow, you are fortunate to have found locally grown soybeans in your area! I have not found any here in Oregon, and I would want non-GMO and pesticide free, as well. ;-)

I can find locally grown walnuts and hazelnuts, although the latter would be far to expensive to consider for any nut milk. Possibly, I could use the walnuts? I haven't seen anything on this. Perhaps, I could try an experiment of my own in my blender, as I do not have a "nut milk" maker. ;-)

Also, I must add that I also read that book by Robbins. I found it informative. From that moment, it highlighted what I had previously only "wondered" or hypothesized but did not know for sure. I appreciated the notable sources, as well.

Since that point a few years back, I am now sourcing primarily locally grown foods and farmer-direct, while still maintaining the majority of my intake as wild seafood or vegetarian foods, as I prefer those delights anyhow. Plus, it is something I could attain from my own labor, as well. ( I really never desired meat much.) I do appreciate the moderate portions of locally grown farm-direct meat purchases of grass-fed free range options, although a little goes a long, long way in my household. I only have to add to my stock maybe every other month. (meaning I need to update my blog on that too.)

Anyhow, I do not support factory farms either, and I am appreciative of local family farmers who are sustainable, conscientious, and make every effort for the animals to live as happy as they can on the farm- from start to finish, at least. (Some people such as myself cannot digest starches and sugars too well, so the small bit of meat is a help to keep our health.)

Thank you for your compassion and empathy. It is good to know others are doing what they can to make a difference too. :)

Wishing continued loving abundance for you and yours,

Joy