Cream is a popular product of lactic fermentation, used as an accompaniment to many dishes, such as soups and jacket potatoes. However, sometimes you want to forgo cream for health or taste reasons. What is left for you then? Read on!
You may have just run out of cream in your fridge, and you don’t feel like going out to the store. See if you can’t find the following dairy substitutes in your refrigerator.
While regular yogurt contains a fairly high percentage of whey, Greek yogurt is made by draining it, resulting in a thicker and fattier product. Greek yogurt is a tart variant of regular yogurt, resembling cream in taste. Compared to the latter, it contains fewer calories and fat, as well as more protein.
Cottage cheese is a fresh, perishable white cheese that is made after the whey is strained by heating acidified milk. It is soft and has a fine creamy texture. One cup of cottage cheese mixed with four tablespoons of milk and two tablespoons of lemon juice can fully compete with cream. It’s an excellent substitute for it, and it’s lower in fat and higher in protein.
Kefir has a much thinner consistency than cream, and is certainly not suitable for dressing soups, but its sour taste makes it suitable for adding to baked goods. It is also worth mentioning the health-promoting properties of kefir, which exhibits anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects. It is also an excellent antioxidant and lowers cholesterol levels. This can certainly not be said of cream.
If you are lactose intolerant or allergic to milk, look out for the following plant-based substitutes for cream.
Coconut milk is lactose-free and vegan, making it popular with people who exclude dairy from their diets. Mix it with apple cider vinegar and sea salt and you have a plant-based cream substitute.
Although it may surprise you, an excellent plant-based substitute for cream is also cashews. These buttery, sweet, high-fat nuts are also a good source of protein. But how do you make a cream based on these nuts? Mix soaked cashews with apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and sea salt, and you’ll have a saturated and tart vegan cream. Experiment with the proportions to get the desired flavor and consistency.
There are many soy-based cream substitutes on the market that can be used by those on a dairy-free diet. Their properties are identical to those of cream, making them a convenient option for those giving up dairy. However, it is worth knowing that soy cream has several ingredients in its composition that are not necessarily beneficial to health. Fortunately, you can make your own soy-based cream. Simply mix natural tofu with apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and salt.
As you can see, cream substitutes can be made from many other readily available products. Adding apple cider vinegar and lime or lemon juice to the above-mentioned products will have you finding a solution in no time!
main photo: unsplash.com/Sorin Gheorghita
