DIY Evaporated Milk: A Simple Guide to Making Your Own

Making evaporated milk may seem like a tedious process, especially when you consider the manual labor involved. However, with the right steps and a bit of patience, you can create your own evaporated milk without too much trouble. Unlike its canned counterpart, homemade evaporated milk can be a fun and rewarding process, especially when you have unique uses for it in your kitchen.

Why Make Your Own Evaporated Milk?

Commercially available evaporated milk usually comes in cans, making it a convenient option. But why would you want to make your own evaporated milk? There are several reasons:

Healthier Options: You can control the amount of sugar and other additives in your homemade evaporated milk. Cost-Effective: Evaporating milk at home can be cheaper than purchasing cans of evaporated milk. Quality: Homemade evaporated milk can be of a higher quality and taste better than commercial versions. Sustainability: Reducing waste by not purchasing a product that can be made at home.

How to Make Evaporated Milk

While making evaporated milk might seem complicated, it's actually quite simple. Follow these steps to make your own evaporated milk:

Step 1: Prepare the Milk

Begin by placing 2 cups of milk in a heavy-based saucepan. Place a wooden skewer in the saucepan and make a mark where the top of the milk hits the skewer. Remove the skewer and add the remaining milk. Over a medium heat, use a silicon spatula to stir the milk constantly until it comes to a boil. Once it starts boiling, immediately lower the heat to its lowest setting to prevent the milk from scorching.

Step 2: Simmer the Milk

Allow the milk to simmer, stirring every couple of minutes. As the milk cooks, regularly remove and discard the skin that forms on the top of the milk. This step is crucial as it ensures a smooth and creamy texture.

Step 3: Check for Reduction

To judge when the milk is ready, place the marked skewer back into the milk. When it reaches the 2 cup mark, it means the milk has been reduced by about 60%, and you can stop the process.

Step 4: Strain and Store

Strain the evaporated milk into a container and store it in the refrigerator. It should last for about a week. Enjoy your homemade evaporated milk and its versatility in recipes!

Conclusion

While making evaporated milk at home might take a bit more time and effort compared to buying a can from the store, the reward is well worth it. The quality, taste, and flexibility of homemade evaporated milk make it a great addition to any kitchen. Give it a try and see the difference it can make in your cooking!