Milk - cow's milk

From the post about mashed potatoes and using evaporated milk......

Family History on Evaporated milk [and I'm certain it is just a small population that does this with evaporated milk] The children's father's mother said breast feeding was 'wrong' (out of fashion) during her time bringing up infants and instead they used the brand named PET milk which is evaporated milk instead of natural breast milk. That would be the late 50's and 60's. Because of that use, she never used PET milk for anything else, it was associated with infant feedings.
By the 1980's and 90's, breast feeding was all considered acceptable.

In many countries, milk is not something that is even used as a drink, except for infants and small children--not so in the United States. Milk is served at any meal here, adults and children alike. I don't know if milk or milk products are used more in cooking in Europe now? (besides cheeses) It would be nice to hear a perspective on that.

Other statistics on milk, by memory, some 90% of the population of the world has a milk allergy--giving gas and acid stomach. Hence the product 'lact-aid', to help with that allergy.

I don't drink milk but once or twice a year, and I have no allergy to it. I use it extensively in cooking--quiches, soups, smoothies, fritatas, to thin out cheese sauces, chicken gravy, making yogurt (greek), and many more things.

Your thoughts? ~Feather

Feather, 1stly, thanks for the Great topic.  I breast fed both my daughters and they breastfed their children and I was breast fed too. Europeans usually breast feed. We preferred this option. Lactose intolerance is quite common both in North America and Spain. There are dairies that produce Lactose Free Milk.  As an ingredient I use it when unavoidable and mostly in small quantities; Bechamel, and Mashed Potatoes for example;  howver,  I have never been a fan of too many cow milk products;  none the less;  I am a Mediterranean cheese fan. I predominately am veered toward ewe or goat milk genre. Italian, Spanish, Greek,  French or Portuguese cheese predominately.  I have an intense aversion towards milk containers of wax.  Spanish Kids here drink Soda in restaurants in public. One of my neighbors, Raquel and David have 2 school age children; Cristina is 5 and Alejandro is 4. I have never seen them drink milk on an open air café terrace nor in bar ... They share 1 Coca Cola or Fresh OJ. My twin grand sons never drink milk with a meal. They drink Swiss alpine mineral water bottled. They have a glass of milk with a cookie after school once in awhile;  however both boys prefer the fresh juiced fruit and veggies or a soda occasionally made naturally.Nathalia is on top of them healthwise and they five veggies or fruits a day ! Naia as well. She is nutritional biologist and very strict about their diets and package items in wax.

Hoser. OH, YES bechamel ! Almost forgot milk as ingredient. oops.  TU for reminder; Mare.

Melissa,Fresh cow milk is completely different in taste than what is put in those waxy containers called tetra brick.  The wax has an awful aroma. I could never put milk in my coffee, thus only drink Espresso.  Have a lovely wkend.Margi.

Melissa,

It was straight from the NY State Farms, and a whole different ball game.

I love milk. Other than putting it on cereal, or in oatmeal in the morning I don't have it too often anymore though. Ok, well I did just have a nice big frosty glass of it the other night, but I was sick and it's like comfort food. I don't have any issues with lactose coming from mostly Dutch and German background so it's all good for me. Milk, cream, cheese, etc. I use them all frequently and enjoy them all.

My wife on the other hand, has a minor lactose intolerance. She can handle skim milk, but anything beyond that causes her issues. Small amounts of cheese are ok, but too much also causes problems.

Makes for interesting meal planning, since most of my favorite meals revolve around dairy in one form or another.