Evaporated milk versus regular milk
Grasping the makeup of an ingredient and how it stacks up against its alternative brings you closer to successfully substituting when the original is unavailable. It’s not merely about swapping one for another; it’s crucial that the replacement ingredient possesses the essential components needed to achieve the desired outcome in the final dish. Let’s start with milk. It is composed of approximately 87% water and 13% solids, which include fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and minerals.
In contrast, evaporated milk contains about 60% less water than fresh milk. This reduction occurs because fresh milk is heated or evaporated until some of the water turns to vapor, resulting in a concentrated dairy product. The increased solid content (23%) in evaporated milk gives it a creamier texture and a slightly sweeter taste compared to regular milk, even without any added sugars. The color of evaporated milk also deepens, taking on a faint yellow hue. Furthermore, the heating process imparts a subtle caramelized flavor to evaporated milk, although this may not be very noticeable in dishes that include multiple other ingredients.
To make evaporated milk more akin to regular milk, it can be diluted with an equal amount of water, which reduces its concentration and allows it to replicate the expected taste and texture.
When to use evaporated milk in place of milk
Any recipe that requires milk can be adapted using evaporated milk in a pinch. Beverages such as coffee, hot chocolate, or tea rely heavily on milk, so any variation in the substitute will be more apparent. To achieve the same flavor and texture, it's essential to dilute evaporated milk. This also applies to preparing breakfast cereal or enjoying milk on its own.
Baked goods like cookies and cakes can also be made with evaporated milk. If you prefer a richer taste, you can use it straight without dilution. However, keep in mind that this type of milk has a lower water content, which may lead to a denser final product. Pancakes and ice cream are other delightful treats that can be prepared using evaporated milk instead of regular milk.
As a busy home cook, you don’t have to wait until you’re in a bind to use evaporated milk. With a shelf life of over a year when unopened, you can stock up on this dairy concentrate to minimize those frequent trips to the grocery store whenever you need milk.
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