DAIRY SUBSTITUTIONS

REPLACE DAIRY MILK WITH ONE OF THESE CHOICES:

• ALMOND MILK
• REFRIGERATED COCONUT MILK
• HAZELNUT MILK
• HEMP MILK
• RICE MILK
• FLAX MILK
• SOY MILK
• CASHEW MILK
• GOAT’S MILK (If tolerated. Some people that are allergic to cow’s milk can thrive on goat’s milk (or another animals milk).  Make your dietary choice based on how your body reacts to the different proteins in the milk.)

NOTE:  OAT MILK IS ALSO AVAILABLE, HOWEVER, BE SURE TO CHECK THAT IT IS GLUTEN-FREE.

FAVORITE CHOICES

Ruby Lynn’s Kitchen Uses these Dairy-Free Milks:

• Refrigerated Unsweetened Coconut Milk
• Unsweetened Almond Milk.

I use unsweetened, unflavored refrigerated Coconut Milk for most baking and cooking, from mashed potatoes to muffins and cakes!

Almond Milk is my favorite choice for making hot cocoa, smoothies and beverages (and on hot and cold cereal).

If you want to purchase only ONE dairy free milk, I recommend So-Delicious Dairy Free Coconut Milk (unsweetened).  It is a great choice; and the results in baking and cooking are yummy!   The coconut flavor is very light and works really well in foods.

Some Dairy-Free Milks have a strong flavor (such as the hazelnut milk, which is best not used in savory foods. Other milks are quite thin (such as rice milk) and others taste quite sweet.  Simply experiment and find the Dairy-Free Milk that satisfies YOU!  Have FUN – it will be an ADVENTURE!

DAIRY YOGURT SUBSTITIONS

Replace Dairy Yogurt with one of the following choices.  Dairy Free Yogurt is available at most Natural Food Stores and at many local grocery stores:

• ALMOND YOGURT
• COCONUT YOGURT
• SOY YOGURT

I have replaced Buttermilk in baking recipes very successfully by mixing together canned coconut milk and apple cider vinegar together.  It has worked perfectly!

• 1 can coconut milk (13.66 FL. OZ – 403 ml.)
• 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar (I use Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar)

I use this Dairy-Free “Buttermilk” in my recipe for “Jammers.”  (Biscuits with jam baked in the centers.  Jammers are so delicious – warm out of the oven with a cup of hot coffee, hot chocolate or hot tea.  Oh my… BLISS!

But, maybe you don’t want to use an entire can of coconut milk – then use 1 cup of dairy free milk and add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar; stir well.  This method will give you a lower fat buttermilk.  (I must admit I do love the higher fat version with the canned coconut milk, best…  I know, I know… I’m “bad to the bone!)

DID YOU KNOW THAT GHEE (CLARIFIED BUTTER) IS BOTH LACTOSE AND CASEIN FREE?

Yes, it’s true!  If you are not allergic to dairy and you are not vegan – you can enjoy Ghee! If the Ghee has been properly prepared, it is both lactose and casein free. (Read the nutrition label or check the website for the brand that you purchase.) You can spread Ghee on toast or cook with it! Yum!

And everyone knows that EVERYTHING tastes better sautéed in Ghee (Clarified Butter). Hey, just ask Julia Child!  

 You can find Ghee at your local natural food grocery store and some major chain grocery stores.  It is usually in the refrigerated Dairy section.  

WHAT VEGAN OPTIONS CAN REPLACE BUTTER?

FOR BAKING:  

• Vegan Buttery Sticks
• Vegan Margarines/Shortening
• Coconut Oil
• Olive Oil
• Avocado Oil
• Walnut Oil and other Nut Oils, depending on your recipe  

NOTE:  If you want to try using an oil to replace a solid like butter, I have found that if the recipe calls for 1/2 cup butter, when you substitute an oil, do not use 1/2 cup.  Instead, reduce the amount to 1/3 cup.  Butter contains water and milky stuff.  Oils are pure fat, so you need to use a lesser amount. 

NOTE:  Do NOT use Vegan Spreads in baking.  They are not formulated to get the best results in baking.  They are made for spreading on your breads, biscuits and muffins.

FOR SPREADING ON TOAST, BREAD, ETC.

• Vegan Butter Spreads
• Coconut Oil
• Nut Butters
• Mashed Avocado

ABOUT COCONUT OIL

Coconut oil should smell like fresh coconut (unless you get the kind that has had the aroma removed.)  Coconut Oil is delicious and comes with healthy benefits, too!  Coconut Oil is good for your skin and recent studies show that in some cases Coconut Oil has proven to reverse Alzheimer’s Disease!

NOTE:  If your Coconut Oil does not smell like fresh coconuts, return it and get another brand.  (There is nothing worse than getting rancid oil.  Just say “NO!”)  

WHERE CAN YOU FIND COCONUT OIL?

Everywhere!  You can find Coconut Oil at Natural Foods Stores, regular grocery stores, online and even at big warehouse stores, such as Costco!  I recommend that you get an Organic Coconut Oil that has been cold pressed.  (So yummy!)