In the spirit of giving during the holiday season and winter soltice, I am sharing one of my favourite holiday recipes with you. This article is a follow-up to my previous blog post ~ Three Reasons to Deliciously Replace Sugar This Holiday Season & Ideas for Healthy Sweetener Alternatives, to offer you some ideas for how to use healthy sweeteners during the holidays.

Almond Nog uses nutrient dense and high in fiber Medjool dates, no calorie and all natural green stevia and an option to include a banana for extra kreamy-ness. While this is a very healthy alternative to traditional eggnog, almond nog is still a treat so please consume in moderation ;-)

You can try using cashews, macadamia nuts or coconut mylk to replace the almonds.

Ingredients

1/2 cup organic non-irradiated almonds, soaked overnight or for 8 hours in filtered water
1 1/2 cup filtered water
2-3 Medjool dates*
1/4 tsp green stevia (I recommend Suede Hills Organic Green Stevia)
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp vanilla
pinch sea salt

*If you are not using Medjool dates, I recommend to pre-soak in filtered water to soften to they blend easier.
 
Optional for more Creamy and Rich Treat

1 ripe banana (preferably over ripe) + extra 1/4 tsp nutmeg
and/or
2 – 3 tbsp coconut butter (expensive and not necessary – if you add some you won’t regret it)

Optional for more Colour and Spice

1/4 tsp turmeric (optional to give drink a yellowish egg like colour)
pinch clove (optional

Optional for Almond Nog Chia Pudding

1 tbsp chia seeds

Garnish: Cinnamon and/or Nutmeg

Method

(1)  Soak 1 cup almonds for 8 – 12 hours or ovenight in filtered water.
(2)  Rinse almonds well and combine in blender with 1 1/2 cups filtered water. Blend for 1 –2 minutes until well mixed.
(3) To separate nut grounds from the mylk, strain almond mylk mixture into a large bowl using a cheese cloth, fine mesh produce bag or fine mesh strainer.
(5)  Pour almond mylk into blender with Medjool dates, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, green stevia and sea salt. Optional to add banana, coconut butter, turmeric and clove. Blend until smooth.
(6)  Optional to now add 1 tbsp of chia seeds to create an Almond Nog Chia Pudding. Let chia seeds soak in mixture until they become a tapioca-like consistency.

Finish with a garnish of nutmeg and/or cinnamon.

Bon Appetit!