Kefir - the dairy champagne, the most popular in many parts of the world and getting more known in the US for the last decade, which I'm very excited about. Kefir-cheese is a bio product of kefir and can not be made without kefir.
First of all, I want to explain to all of you what kefir and kefir cheese is, and why bother to make it?
If you have watched my channel for a while, or visited my site, you have noticed how I'm in love with cultured food, alive food, the food that gave me and my family better health. I'm thankful to God for wisdom and letting me find this way of eating.
My gut God fixed, and as a result my family grew strong and healthy too.
And Kefir is just one of many fermented foods that I eat and I consume it daily.
SO WHAT IS KEFIR?
Kefir it's a fermented (cultured) dairy drink made by using starter “grains,” which are actually a combination of colony good bacteria and yeast.
Kefir grains interact with milk to make a fermented beverage that even people with lactose intolerance can usually drink. Unlike yogurt it is 99% free of lactose (dairy sugar). The lactic acid (bacteria) does the job by curdling the milk and gives it a unique taste. Yes it does taste slightly sour, especially if you use non-fat milk (which I would never recommend). Also time is a factor because the longer it sits in the fridge, it becomes more tart.
Kefir is one of the oldest milk ferments in existence. It originated 2000 years ago in the Caucasian Mountains. Kefir does have 10 times more strains of good bacteria, compared to any yogurt that you purchase in a store. This fermented milk has been referred to as a "drinkable yogurt ", even though it's not. The health benefits are enormous compared to yogurt. Kefir is no doubt a superfood and can help in many areas of your body by keeping your gut healthy. It is quite delicious, slightly carbonated and this is why it is called dairy champagne!
The tartness of kefir might not appeal to your taste buds, but you can make your own adjustments to the taste. Kefir grains are very inexpensive and easy to maintain. Most brands of store-bought kefir are non-fat, and these products are sour tasting. In using homemade kefir to make smoothies you won't have this problem because it blends well with other foods.
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF KEFIR?
Contains probiotics that can boost immunity: 55 different strings of good bacteria strings vs yogurt the best on the market containing only 12.
Kefir has much less lactose and carbohydrates vs yogurt.
It’s a good source of calcium.
Contains high levels of vitamins A, B2 (riboflavin), B12 and D.
Can provide phosphorus, folate acid, potassium and magnesium.
WHAT IS KEFIR-CHEESE?
Even if you aren’t a huge cheese fan, stick with me for a minute. This cheese is an exception even for those people who are trying to avoid dairy.
Kefir cheese is a creamy delicious cheese adding creaminess and texture to many of your cream cheese type recipes. Such as creamy dips, frostings, etc.
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WHY BOTHER MAKING KEFIR CHEESE?
By substituting with kefir cheese, you get an even richer flavor, more protein, and most importantly it's loaded with probiotics.
Important Note on Kefir Cheese
If you love cheese, then you really need to learn to make kefir cheese. It's crazy easy, filled with probiotics, and you can use it many different ways. I make kefir cheese in small batches on a regular basis since making milk kefir is pretty much a daily routine. I want to show you how you can do it too. I use kefir cheese in place of any recipe that calls for cream cheese, sour cream, or yogurt. It's very versatile! Making kefir cheese is one of my favorite things to do with kefir—and it’s a great way to sneak it into the diets of picky eaters.
Good News: Kefir is lactose – friendly!
The main reason why food allergies are rising is because of our lack of good bacteria. Our stomach linings are very thin and bad bacteria can easily enter creating a multitude of problems. Gluten allergy is another big issue. If you are missing lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, more than likely you are sensitive to gluten. Avoiding foods in which you are allergic will only provide temporary relief and will never heal your gut. I’m thankful that it’s so easy and inexpensive to make kefir. Drinking kefir provides the body with healthy good bacteria, which is much better than swallowing probiotic capsules.
RECIPES WITH KEFIR
HOW TO MAKE KEFIR?
Take a clean jar and add kefir grains.
Pour over milk (whole milk, organic and grass-fed preferably or even better from a farm and hasn't been pasteurized).
Leave one inch at the top of the jar.
Cover with lid.
Let it sit at room temperature 12-24 hours (depending on temperature, time of the year).
As soon as you see a little whey showing up on the bottom of the jar, it's time to strain the grains.
Keep kefir in a fridge. Can be consumed within 3 months.
Place the grains into a new jar and repeat the process all over.
HOW TO MAKE KEFIR - CHEESE?:
I usually make kefir-cheese at least once a week, so I always have it on hand. Using two coffee filters with a strainer works great. I also have a yogurt maker and it provides the same principle of straining and separating cheese curds from whey as does the coffee filter & strainer method. Sounds easy, right?
EASY TO DO FEW STEPS:
Place two paper coffee filters into a strainer and put the strainer on top of a bowl. Pour 2 cups of kefir into the double coffee filters.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. The liquid (called whey) will drain into the bowl.
Place into the fridge. This process will take 12 to 24 hours. The longer it sits the thicker your cheese will be. Once it is complete, you will have cheese in the coffee filters and whey in the bowl.
Simply flip the coffee filters upside down onto a plate. EASY!!! You will end up with 3/4-1 cup of kefir cheese. Keep the whey and store in another container.
This "Golden liquid" as whey is called can replace lemon juice in salad dressing, be added to smoothies, be used as a facial cleanser, a stain remover and many more things!!!
RECIPES WITH KEFIR - CHEESE
Now you know: why it's so good for you, how to make and what to do with it.
Watch my video and I hope you give it a try soon, I promise you will get addicted, many of my friends become big kefir lovers. You will find that your body functions better, so please spread the word and help replace illness with wellness!