NON DAIRY DIY YOGURT RECIPE- HAPPYDAYSNAX

Ingredients for Nut-Based Yogurt:

• 1 cup of raw nuts (e.g., almonds, cashews)

• 4 cups of filtered water for soaking

• 2-3 cups of filtered water for blending

• 1-2 tablespoons of a sweetener (such as maple syrup or agave nectar) - optional

• A pinch of salt - optional

• Homemade probiotic starter (instructions below)

Instructions for Nut-Based Yogurt with Homemade Probiotics:

1. Soak the Nuts:

• Place the raw nuts in a bowl and cover them with 4 cups of filtered water.

• Allow the nuts to soak for at least 4 hours or overnight. Soaking helps soften the nuts and makes them easier to blend.

1. Drain and Rinse:

• Drain the soaked nuts and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water.

1. Blend the Nuts:

• Add the soaked and rinsed nuts to a blender.

• Add 2-3 cups of filtered water, depending on how thick you want your yogurt. Start with 2 cups and add more as needed.

• If you prefer a slightly sweet and salty yogurt, you can also add a sweetener (e.g., maple syrup) and a pinch of salt at this stage.

1. Blend Until Smooth:

• Blend the mixture on high speed until it becomes a smooth, creamy liquid. This may take a few minutes.

1. Strain (Optional):

• If you want your yogurt to be extra smooth and without any nut residue, you can strain the mixture through a nut milk bag or cheesecloth.

1. Prepare Homemade Probiotic Starter:

• To make a homemade probiotic starter, you'll need a source of beneficial bacteria. You can use a small amount of a naturally fermented food or beverage like sauerkraut juice, kimchi juice, or kombucha. Alternatively, you can make a starter from scratch using vegetables, water, and salt. Here's a simple method to create a vegetable-based starter:

• Finely chop or grate a small amount of vegetables (e.g., cabbage, carrots, or radishes).

• Mix the chopped vegetables with water and a pinch of salt (about 1 teaspoon of salt per cup of water).

• Place this mixture in a clean glass container and cover it loosely. Let it sit at room temperature for a few days until it develops a slightly tangy flavor and bubbles form.

• Once it's fermented, strain out the liquid, which is now your homemade probiotic starter.

1. Add Homemade Probiotic Starter:

• Add 1-2 tablespoons of your homemade probiotic starter to the blended nut mixture and mix it in thoroughly.

1. Fermentation:

• Pour the mixture into a clean glass or plastic container.

• Cover the container loosely with a lid or cloth to allow air circulation.

• Place it in a warm, draft-free spot, such as an oven with the light on or a yogurt maker, and let it ferment for 6-12 hours, or until it thickens and develops a tangy flavor. The longer you let it ferment, the tangier it will become.

1. Refrigerate:

• Once the yogurt has reached your desired level of tanginess and thickness, remove it from the fermentation spot and refrigerate it. It will continue to thicken in the fridge.

1. Serve:

• Your homemade nut-based yogurt with homemade probiotics is ready to serve. Enjoy it plain, with fruit, or as a topping for granola or cereal.

By using homemade probiotics from a naturally fermented source, you can create a dairy-free nut-based yogurt with beneficial bacteria for fermentation.