Can’t afford cow milk? Try soy milk

Aug 21, 2009

PRICES of a number of items have continued to rise. Milk is one such item. A litre of pasteurised milk now goes for between sh1,900 and sh2,200.

By Agnes Kyotalengerire

PRICES of a number of items have continued to rise. Milk is one such item. A litre of pasteurised milk now goes for between sh1,900 and sh2,200.

Traders attribute this to the long drought that has stripped pastoral areas of pasture and water for the cattle, reducing milk production. However, that does not mean that you banish milk from your diet. You can substitute cow milk with soy milk.

Made from soya beans, the milk contains vegetable protein, potassium and phosphorous. It is also cholesterol-free and is easily digested.

To make five litres of soy milk, you need two kilogrammes of soya, a kilo of which costs between sh1,500 and sh1,700. Choose bright yellow beans with clear eyes because they soften quickly and produce a high quantity of milk.

Procedure
Sort the soya beans and remove any foreign objects.

Wash and soak them in water for 24 hours.

Wash the beans again, soak them in fresh water for another 24 hours.

Drain the beans and wash them thoroughly.

Put the beans in a blender or a mincer.

Crush into a paste.

Put the paste in a light clean cloth, pour three litres of cold boiled water over it as you squeeze out the milk.

Sieve the milk again to remove any particles.

Boil the milk immediately after extraction.

While boiling, stir the milk to avoid burning or sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.

When it cools keep under room temperature for a day. Alternatively, you can refrigerate it for up to 14 days.

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