From a cultural standpoint, there’s something particularly comforting about cooking with milk. It’s familiar and easy. But, as anyone who’s made the switch to vegan knows, there are some great benefits that come with not drinking cow’s milk. Today, more and more vegan and vegetarian cookbooks offer alternatives to the milk that comes in those plastic bottles. Instead of the cream, you have milk that’s low in fat and high in calcium. Instead of the curd, you have milk that’s low in lactose, a type of sugar found in milk. Many people have difficulty switching to vegan and vegetarian cooking, but it’s not as difficult as you might think. In this article, we’ll answer some common questions about using Condensed Milk instead of Milk. Read on to learn more!
Can you use condensed milk instead of milk?
Yes, you can use condensed milk instead of milk. To substitute one part water for one part milk, simply add 1 part water to 1 part condensed milk. For example, if you were using cow’s milk in your recipe for chili, you would replace that with condensed Milk.
Is Condensed Milk Vegan?
- The packaging. Condensed Milk is not vegan because it’s made from milk.
- The ingredients. Condensed Milk is not vegan because it contains gelatin. Gelatin comes from animal bones, hooves, and connective tissues, so it’s not something that vegans are supposed to consume anyway!
- The process of making it. Condensed Milk is not vegan because it’s made by taking cow’s milk and removing the cream, which contains lactose. This can be a problem if you have a dairy allergy or are trying to cut back on lactose intake in general, but for most people who are just trying to avoid dairy products in general, this shouldn’t be an issue at all!
- The finished product itself (the actual food). Condensed Milk is not vegan because it contains milk fat (about 15% of the product) and milk solids (about 10%). Fat isn’t an animal byproduct, so it’s not a problem. The milk solids are considered to be “non-dairy” and can be used in recipes that call for milk.
- The way it’s made. Condensed Milk is not vegan because it’s made from powdered milk, which is generally considered to be a byproduct of industrial dairy production.
Does Condensed Milk Have The Same Effect As Milk?
It’s Not the Same
Condensed Milk is a dairy product that comes from evaporated milk. It’s made by concentrating the milk and then adding sugar or other ingredients to make it shelf-stable. Milk, on the other hand, comes from cows. It can be made from either pasteurized or unpasteurized milk, but it’s always pasteurized. To make condensed Milk, you simply have to make sure that you use one part of water for every part of the milk in your recipe.
It Doesn’t Have As Much Calcium
Calcium is an essential nutrient that helps build strong bones and teeth. Cow’s milk has a high amount of calcium because it contains large amounts of fluid and fat as well as protein and lactose (milk sugar). Condensed Milk only contains a small amount of calcium because of its concentration process, so you may need to add extra calcium in your recipes if you use Condensed Milk.
It Has Less Fat Content
Condensed Milk has almost four times less fat content than cow’s milk, so you will need to use more Condensed Milk to get the same amount of fat in your recipes. Some vegan and vegetarian cookbooks recommend using half condensed Milk and half cow’s milk, but if you want to save money, it is much cheaper to use one part condensed Milk for every two parts cow’s milk.
It Contains No Lactos
Lactose is a type of sugar found in milk. For those who are lactose intolerant, this can be a challenge when trying to switch from dairy-based cooking to vegan or vegetarian cooking because many recipes call for milk or cream and call for it specifically because of the lactose content. Condensed Milk does not contain any lactose, so it is an excellent option for those who are lactose intolerant.
It Contains More Calcium Than Cow’s Milk
Condensed Milk has a higher calcium content than the average cow’s milk, so you may need to add more Calcium to your recipes when using Condensed Milk. It is recommended to use one part of condensed Milk for every two parts of cow’s milk.
It Is Very Expensive
Condensed Milk is very expensive, especially when you compare it to other dairy substitutes like soy milk or almond milk. A one-liter carton of condensed Milk can cost as much as a gallon of regular milk, so it is best used sparingly and only in recipes that call for it.
It Can Be Hard to Stir
Because Condensed Milk comes in a can and is not fresh, the texture may be a bit harder to stir than fresh whole milk or cream would be, but this should not deter you from using it because most vegan and vegetarian cookbooks have great tips on how to make Condensed Milk easier to stir.
Does It Taste Different?
- Condensed milk tastes the same as milk.
- Condensed milk is less sweet than cow’s milk, so it won’t overpower your dish.
- If you’re used to drinking cow’s milk, you may not notice the change in the flavor of condensed milk.
- Since condensed milk is low in fat and high in calcium, it will keep your dish from being too heavy or greasy.
- Condensed Milk has a longer shelf life than fresh milk and can be kept at room temperature for up to six months, according to the USDA.
- You can substitute Condensed Milk for cow’s milk in any recipe that calls for fresh cream or buttermilk without changing the taste or texture of your dish!
Conclusion
Condensed Milk is a great replacement for milk in many recipes. It’s high in calcium, low in lactose, and it has all the nutrients of milk. There are several brands available, so finding one that you like is easy. You can even make your own Condensed Milk at home with a canning kit. If you’re looking for more vegan and vegetarian cookbooks to add to your collection, check out our reviews of the Top 10 Vegan Cookbooks!