by Armando Casillas Jr

Created on: October 29, 2009

Soy Milk is a healthy alternative to cow milk and contains almost the same nutrients. Soy Milk was discovered in China around 22-200AD. Their are many variations around the world. Here you will learn to prepare a sweetened version. If you decide not to use any sweetning agent you will end up with a salty traditional version.

To prepare you will need the following ingredients:

1 cup Soy Beans

3-1/2 cups Water

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1 cup Sugar

You will also need the following kitchen utensils:

2 containers

for soaking Soy Beans and straining

measuring cup for liquids

measuring cup for solids

Blender

Stockpot (6L. to 36L. pot)

cheese cloth

fine mesh strainer

Place 1 cup of Soy Beans in a container with 2 cups of warm water. Leave the beans to soak for at least 3 hours. Soaking in of water will depend on the temperature of the water. Warm water will soak in faster and cold water will be slower. Wait until the beans have grown to about triple their in size to continue.

After the appropriate soaking time, place your soaked Soy Beans in the blender. Add 3-1/2 cups of water to the blender. If your want thicker soy milk add less water at this stage. Blend 2 to 3 minutes. You will be left with a slurry like mixture in the blender.

Cover a pot or container with cheesecloth and pour the liquid thru. Gather the corners of the cheese cloth and press the remaining juices out of the "Okara"(soy bean pulp). Set the Okara aside. Use a strainer to remove any foam that has gathered on the surface. Use another pot covered with cheese cloth and repeat the straining process two more times.

Okara is pretty much flavorless, but low in fat and high in fiber. It also carries benificial proteins, iron, calcium, and riboflavin. It can be used in stews, porridges, as the base for veggie patties, tofu(after steaming), a substitute for rice in sushi, or animal feed.

After straining the soy milk, you are ready to cook. Stir in the vanilla extract. Set on your stove and place it on high heat until it begins to boil in about 10 to 20 minutes. Stir sugar in as boiling begins. Let it come to a full boil. Keep an eye on it as it could boil over. Stirring will keep it under control.

Reduce the heat to low after full boil and cook for another 5 minutes. Turn off heat and allow it time to cool. Place cooled Soy Milk in a container(s) and and refrigerate. Enjoy!

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