In the Middle Ages, animal milk was, of course, not refrigerated, and fresh milk did not stay fresh for long. Most cooks simply did not use much milk as the short shelf-life of the product made it a difficult ingredient to depend upon.
Many recipe collections of the time advise that cooks should only rely on milk that comes directly from a cow, something not possible at all times, and purchasing milk was a dubious practice, for streetsellers of milk often sold wares that were either spoiled or diluted with water.
Milk’s use had to be immediate, in cooking or by turning into cheese & butter. It was these difficulties that forced Medieval cooks to look upon milk with great reluctance, and so having milk in the kitchen was usually unheard of.
Almond milk with almond on a wooden table
Rather than animal milk, Medieval cooks turned to something they could depend upon, and that was the milky liquid produced by grinding almonds or walnuts.
This liquid, high in natural fats, could be prepared fresh whenever needed in whatever quantities.
It also could be made well ahead of time and stored with no danger of degeneration.
Because of its high fat content, it, like animal milk, could be churned into butter, and because it was not animal milk, it could be used and consumed during Church designated meatless days.
ALMOND MILK RECIPE
Yield – 2 cups almond milk
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup ground almonds
- 2 cups boiling water
METHOD
Combine almonds and water.
Steep for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Sieve the mixture to remove coarse grains OR (preferably) blend mixture in electric blender until grains are absorbed.
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