Kefir recipes, tips, tweak, and general Q & A
 

Please share how *you* make kefir, if you use it in any recipes, any tips and tricks you've found, and feel free to ask questions! Ferment away!

Re: Kefir recipes, tips, tweak, and general Q & A
 

bbl! I made yummy kefir waffles this morning, and will share the recipe. :heart

Re: Kefir recipes, tips, tweak, and general Q & A
 

:popcorn

Re: Kefir recipes, tips, tweak, and general Q & A
 

Waffles

1 cup ww flour
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup bran (I use ground flax instead)
1/4 cup wheat germ
2 Tbs. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 eggs
3 cups kefir

Mix and let sit at room temp 30 - 60 min or overnight in the fridge. Cook on hot waffle iron. This makes enough for the two kids and me to have breakfast several mornings. Don't let the lack of sweetener turn you off--these are wonderful!

I'm sure baking kefir destroys some of its benefits, but fermenting the grains would have benefits, right?

Re: Kefir recipes, tips, tweak, and general Q & A
 

I was wondering this too.....I didn't know that you could bake with kefir.

Re: Kefir recipes, tips, tweak, and general Q & A
 

Here's my confession for the day:

I make kefir, but it scares me, and then I dump it out :bag I need help.

Re: Kefir recipes, tips, tweak, and general Q & A
 

:nak I substitute kefir for buttermilk unless it's a yeast recipe--I don't like the way kefir reacts with it

:giggle

Re: Kefir recipes, tips, tweak, and general Q & A
 

Kefir makes a mean Mac N Cheese. It gives it a tanginess that rocks :rockon Use it in place of the milk. I also use my Kefir as sour cream. Whisk it until it thickens more...put it over baked taters, pasta, dips...etc. I make a homemade ranch dip with herbs and Kefir and it is always a rave.

For drinking...I simply add apple, grape, cranberry (etc) juice to the kefir. If I want it thick, I blend it with ice, or frozen bananas, blueberries, etc. Kefir makes an awesome healthy smoothie.

Anyone dealing with Psoriasis...it has CURED my oldest. When he drink his kefir shakes, the psoriasis clears up totally :heart

Re: Kefir recipes, tips, tweak, and general Q & A
 

OK, so maybe I'll try making some more. My grains have been in my fridge with the same milk for about a week. Will they still be OK if I take them out and try a new batch? How long can they live in the same milk?

Re: Kefir recipes, tips, tweak, and general Q & A
 

mine have been known to fast in the same milk for over a month. They are pretty tough...it may just take a few batches to reactivate them.

Re: Kefir recipes, tips, tweak, and general Q & A
 

How do you make yours?

Re: Kefir recipes, tips, tweak, and general Q & A
 

Lisa's Kefir Recipe

Fill a glass jar w/ milk. I usually use about 2 cups.
Drop in the kefir grains.
Cover.
Shake gently whenever walking by the jar.
The 2nd day, gently tilt the jar before shaking. If it has thickened to the consistency of pudding, it's done.
Fill a new jar w/ milk, scoop the grains out of the first jar and place into new jar. Cover and repeat.

With the finished kefir, you can eithe rdrink it right away, refrigerate it right away, or cover it and let it sit out for another 12-24 hours to increase the vitamin content. It will probably separate but can easily be shaken or blended back. This is called ripening. Ripened kefir is slightly carbonated.

Also, if you wish, you can keep re-using the glass jar w/o washing it. This is called "continuous culture." I do this from time to time.

Re: Kefir recipes, tips, tweak, and general Q & A
 

:popcorn bbl

Re: Kefir recipes, tips, tweak, and general Q & A
 

Yup, they're fine! Your first few batches will probably taste off--smell kind of like Parmesan cheese. Just keep changing the milk every 24 hours, shaking well, and it should be great in 2-3 days.

Re: Kefir recipes, tips, tweak, and general Q & A
 

My friend had me put it in the cupboard. Do you put yours in a dark place while you're making it?