EV’s Take: A Creamy, Dreamy Plant-Based Alternative to Half-and-Half
One of the challenges I’ve faced with vegan recipes is finding a good non-dairy replacement for heavy cream. My rules are that it needs to hold up well to heat without being too strongly flavored. I thought Califia Farms Better Half would be a bit thin because of the blend of almond milk and coconut milk. However, I was pleasantly surprised as I reviewed the product.
Better Half is thick and creamy. It has just a subtle coconut undertone that the flavors of your dish can easily mask. I’ve used it in purées, soups, and coffee. I can see myself keeping my refrigerator stocked with this plant-based half-and-half for those nights when I need a creamy bowl of soup!
You can use Califia Farms Better Half as a 1:1 swap for dairy-based half-and-half, though I’ve been using it as a replacement for heavy cream in soups. The coconut milk allows it to hold up well to heat without separating. That said, while the flavor is mild, it does add a very subtle, sweet undertone. This may be a deal-breaker for some, but I found it subtle enough that the flavors of whatever I was cooking masked the sweetness of the coconut used in Better Half. This non-dairy half-and-half can also be used in all your favorite baking recipes, and Califia Farms has so many recipes on its website to choose from!
Califia Farms Better Half Ingredients
Califia Farms Better Half ingredient list is very short and sweet, but not literally sweet, because this vegan half-and-half has no added sugar!
Here’s what’s in each spoonful of this half-and-half alternative:
Almondmilk (Water, Almonds), Coconut Cream, Sunflower Lecithin, Natural Flavor, Calcium Carbonate, Sea Salt, Potassium Citrate, Guar Gum, Gellan Gum
Califia Farms Better Half Nutrition:
| Serving Size | 2 tablespoons (30mL) |
| Calories | 15 |
| Total Fat | 1g |
| Saturated Fat | .5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 15mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 0g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Total Sugars | 0g |
| Protein | 0g |
If you want to reduce caloric intake, this is a great alternative to traditional coconut milk. You can add so much rich creaminess to your soups and stews for 15 calories per two tablespoons instead of 99 calories per two tablespoons. In addition, the almond milk softens the coconut flavor, so if you don’t want your dish to be overpowered by coconut, Califia Farms Better Half could be a great option.
How did EV use Califia Farms Better Half?
I’ve been drinking this Unsweetened Better Half in my coffee and using it in savory applications since I am not much of a baker!
Chowder
I made a poblano and potato chowder, which turned out amazing! The coconut flavor was subtle, and the finished chowder was rich and creamy, perfect for an end-of-summer soup. This recipe involves a roux, and the Better Half performed wonderfully. I whisked it into the flour mixture to make a slurry and added warm vegetable broth. It was exceptional!
Coffee
I’ve been using Califia Farms Better Half in my coffee. I love it because it has no added sugar so that I can sweeten my coffee with maple syrup or monkfruit.
Purées
I made a very simple gochujang and butternut squash purée. Califia Farms Better Half worked perfectly in this dish! It added perfect creaminess and decadence without being too heavy or rich. It blended beautifully into the squash, creating a luxuriously smooth and velvety purée that we couldn’t stop eating! If you want to make it, you can get the recipe below!
Gochujang Butternut Squash Purée
Ingredients
- 1 pound butternut squash peeled, seeded, and cubed; from 1 medium butternut squash weighing about 1½ to 2 pounds
- 1 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- ½ cup Califia Farms Better Half or use coconut milk, whole milk, or heavy cream
- 1 to 2 tablespoons gochujang see Note 1
- 1½ tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
Garnish:
- 2 teaspoons neutral oil
- 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
- 2 teaspoons white sesame seeds
- 2 scallions trimmed and minced
- Pinch salt
- Gochugaru optional, for serving or use paprika
Instructions
Boil the butternut squash:
- Place the squash in a large pot and cover with 6 cups of water. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil. Boil for 15 to 20 minutes until the squash is fork tender.
- Drain the squash and return it to the warm pot. Let it stand for 5 minutes so the residual heat evaporates excess water.
Make the gochujang sauce:
- Whisk together the gochujang, plant-based or dairy-based cream, maple syrup, and sesame oil until smooth. Taste and adjust the ingredients to your preference, adding more gochujang for extra heat or more maple syrup for a sweeter flavor. Set aside.
Blend the squash:
- Add the gochujang sauce to the pot of drained squash. Blend until smooth and creamy using an immersion blender. Alternatively, you can use a traditional blender or food processor. Taste and add salt as needed.
Make the garnish:
- Add the neutral oil to a small saucepan over medium heat. Once hot, add the sesame seeds and slivered almonds. Sizzle them in the oil for 1 to 2 minutes, often turning, to lightly toast them.
- Add the scallions to the pot and cook, turning often, for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant. Turn off the heat and add a pinch of salt. Set aside.
To serve:
- Spoon the squash purée onto a serving platter and smooth it out with the back of your spoon, creating small wave shapes with the spoon. Spoon the almond garnish on top of the purée and finish with a sprinkle of gochugaru or a dusting of paprika if you like. Enjoy!
Recipe notes
Nutrition
Where can I buy Califia Farms Unsweetened Better Half?
Better Half can be purchased at retailers like The Fresh Market, Harris Teeter, and Sprouts. If you really love it, you can buy a six-pack on Amazon. Use the store locator on the Califia Farms website to find a retailer near you.
What do you think?
Have you tried Califia Farms Better Half? Love it or hate it? Tell us in the comments!
