Don’t like plain kefir, even though you know it’s good for you? Well, I have some people like you in my family. So I’ve been on a mission, since we begun making it, to come up with
fun and yummy ways to eat it. I hope that you will help me build up this
list. First, though, let’s recap why kefir is so good for you (see the
original Kefir post for more). Kefir:
- is a natural antibiotic
- does not feed yeast
- doesn’t bother those who are lactose intolerant, because the beneficial microorganisms consume most of the lactose
- provides enzyme lactase, to digest remaining lactose
- coats the lining of the digestive tract, creating a nest for beneficial bacteria to colonize
Now, onto the yummy ways we’ve been eating – and loving – kefir.
- Kefir Cheese – This is much like yogurt cheese,
where the whey has dripped out, leaving a thicker consistency that is
spreadable like cream cheese. You can season it with herbed seasoning
salt, herbs, or anything else you fancy, and then spread it on bread,
biscuits, etc. (See directions here – steps 1 and 2 of probiotic potato salad.) - Probiotic Potato Salad – The secret to this probiotic potato salad is the kefir cheese used in the dressing. It is a tangy, delicious potato salad that everyone in my family loves!
- Salad Dressings – Use in place of yogurt in yogurt-based salad dressings. Experiment with adding it to other salad dressings.
- Veggie Dip – Season up the kefir cheese (from the probiotic potato salad) and make a dip out of it. Just some homemade herbed seasoning salt is all it takes.
- Ice Cream – I’ll be sharing a recipe for this soon!
Kefir ice cream tastes much like frozen yogurt, with a little bit of a
tang. It is so yummy! Edit: Here’s a recipe for Probiotic Chocolate Ice Cream, featuring – you guessed it – kefir! - Smoothies – Try my chocolate kefir smoothie or summer fruit smoothie.
- Popsicles – Use the kefir smoothie (#6) mix to make popsicles
(tip from Annette of Sustainable Eats). My friend Amy suggests using an
ice cube tray and toothpicks if you don’t have an official popsicle
tray. - NEW! Parfait – Make a kefir parfait,
using kefir as you would yogurt and top it with soaked/dehydrated nuts
and seeds, soaked/dehydrated oats, dried fruit, cinnamon, fresh fruit,
and a drizzle of raw honey or maple syrup. Yumm for a snack, as a salad,
or as breakfast!
Source: http://gnowfglins.com/2009/08/07/seven-yummy-ways-to-eat-kefir/#