Tasty Nondairy Treats

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Tahoe Donner Association announced the hiring of Matt Hale as its new executive chef with a primary focus on serving The Lodge Restaurant & Pub in Truckee.

With more than 20 years of experience, Hale will oversee the menu selection and kitchen operations at The Lodge while supporting Pizza on the Hill and Alder Creek Cafe.

Former Chef Lew Orlady recently retired after 17 years working for Tahoe Donner. | tahoedonner.com

Lakeview Social

Lakeview Social has opened in South Lake Tahoe serving breakfast, lunch and dinner from its on-site food truck. Formerly Revive Coffee, Lakeview Social also features an expanded outdoor gathering area and stage and is hosting the afterparty for this summer’s Live at Lakeview summer concert series every Thursday. There is also a mobile trailer serving 13 beers on tap. Located at 3135 Harrison Avenue. | lakeviewsocialtahoe. com

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MAKE ALTERNATIVE MILK, ICE CREAM AT HOME

BY PRIYA HUTNER

Dairy has developed a bad rap over the years and milk consumption alone is down 42 percent from what it was a half-century ago. With more people allergic to dairy or lactose sensitive, the rise of alternative dairy products has increased. Nowadays, anything dairy has a nondairy alternative including milk beverages, ice cream, cheeses, yogurt and sour cream. Nondairy products are a $22 billion industry globally. There are many nondairy milk substitutes made from a variety of nuts, oat, soy, rice and seeds, such as hemp, flax and sunflower. Buying nondairy milk is easy but many store-bought nondairy milk products contain additives: sugar, salt, stabilizers, sunflower lecithin, tapioca starch, carrageenan, flavoring and emulsifiers, such as locust bean gum. Protein, potassium and vitamin D are often added but don’t have the daily servings of nutrients naturally occurring in cow’s milk.

Homemade nondairy milk takes more time to prepare but is delicious, nutritious and healthy. To make nut milk, soak nuts overnight, add water, blend and strain. If you forget to soak the nuts, another method is to bring water and nuts to a boil and let them sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Ground almonds can be made into milk in minutes by blending with water and straining them through cheesecloth. Oat milk is my latest favorite nondairy milk substitute and the Nutr Machine is my newest obsession. The Nutr Machine makes nondairy beverages in minutes. I can prepare all-natural nondairy beverages with no additives. And I’m not adding containers to the landfill. There are many unique recipes for alternatives milk and being creative with flavors is always fun.

Oat milk can be prepared in minutes. Sweeteners such as monk fruit sugar, dates, agave, honey or maple syrup can be added, as well as vanilla or almond extract. Oat milk is great in cereal or in hot morning beverages. A cold, chocolate oat milk is delicious. It can easily be made into ice cream, as well. Almond milk is also delicious with a naturally sweet flavor.

Ice cream is a lovely summer treat and it’s easy to make nut milk ice cream with your favorite flavors and ingredients. Chocolate, peanut butter and fresh strawberry ice cream with nondairy milk is flavorful and healthy. Cashews are naturally fatty and make great alternative ice cream. Rice is another route to experiment with. Unsweetened coconut makes fabulous nondairy ice cream. Nutella added to an ice cream mixture is divine.

Popsicle molds make this experience all the better. Chocolate-dipped, coconut ice cream popsicles, anyone? Using ice cube trays is another trick. Add the nut milk mixture to the ice trays and put a popsicle stick in each cube. Freeze and cool in a flash. Muffin tins and silicone muffin liners are another way to serve your nondairy ice cream. Fill the cups and top with sprinkles, chocolate syrup or cookie crumbs. Banana splits with nondairy ice cream, chocolate syrup and chopped peanut butter cups make a delicious dessert. Cookie crumbles, sprinkles and marshmallows are all fair game for toppings. For a more adult version, make coffee ice cream sprinkled with chocolate-covered espresso beans. Make your own nondairy whipped cream with coconut cream or aquafaba (the juice in chickpea cans). n

2 C nondairy milk ½ C fresh strawberries 1/3 C monk fruit sugar or maple syrup 1 t pure vanilla extract ¼ t salt

Make homemade oat or nut milk. Blend ingredients in a blender. Pour ingredients into a small container or ice cube trays and freeze. Once frozen, blend in a blender until desired consistency and enjoy. If using an ice cream maker, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.