Milk Kefir Instructions

I couldn't find any clear, concise kefir-making instructions on the web, when I did a quick Google search. So I thought I'd post what I do. This makes some yummy kefir!

Ingredients

2 Tbs. kefir grains
3 1/2 cups milk (preferably whole, non-homogenized)

Method

Place kefir grains in clean quart sized glass jar. Pour milk over grains. Leave about an inch of head space. Cover loosely with lid. Leave on the counter, at room temperature for 24-48 hours. Occasionally tighten the lid and shake the jar. The milk will start to separate a bit, leaving pockets of whey throughout the jar. When it is fermented it will taste tart, like yogurt, with a yeasty, cheesy flavor as well.

Shake the kefir before straining through a fine mesh stainless steel sieve, pushing the kefir through with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula, if necessary. The grains will remain in the sieve and can be reused indefinitely to ferment milk and/or cream. (They will multiply and grow too, and can be eaten as an excellent probiotic source.)

Store strained kefir in a sealed pitcher or jar in the refrigerator. Consume within two weeks. Place grains in a clean jar to start another batch.

Storing grains when not in use--cover with fresh milk and refrigerate for up to one week. This produces kefir at a slower rate, and you can drink the product. Alternately, cover the grains with fresh milk and freeze for up to several months. The product of this method should be tossed. Grains will need to be "refreshed" after freezing, by being put into fresh milk. The product of this first post-freezer ferment may need to be tossed as well.

Raw Egg Nog

I've never actually made real egg nogg before and it was much better than I expected.  It's also pretty easy, and very nutritious.  This is something I plan on enjoying throughout the year!

INGREDIENTS:

3 eggs (farm fresh if possible)
1 pint coconut milk or kefir or kefired cream
2 T - 1/4 cup honey, depending on taste
grated nutmeg
bourbon (optional)

METHOD:

Separate the eggs and beat egg whites until soft peaks form.  In another bowl, beat the yolks with the honey, just until frothy and well mixed.  I personally feel that egg nog needs very little sweetness to be delicious, so I use only a few T of honey.  If you are using kefir you may want to add more honey.

Gently fold the yolk mixture into the beaten whites.  Then fold in the coconut milk or kefir.  Fold in bourbon to taste if you are using it.  After you pour it into cups, sprinkle the top with nutmeg.

This recipe makes quite a bit and easily serves 4.

Dairy-free coffee creamer

I was dying for a cup of coffee last weekend (decaf, but still), and I don't like it without half-and-half or cream. I also wasn't in the mood for coconut cappuccino. Since we can't have uncultured dairy on GAPS, I needed to come up with an alternative. I was thinking of these artificially-flavored coffee creamers that are filled with hydrogenated oil that my mom likes, and I thought I could make a healthier version of one of those. I think that this recipe was a success. My husband thought it tasted great in the coffee too, and he can eat whatever he wants!

I used 1/2 cup honey and thought it was a tiny bit too sweet. I'm going to try 1/3 cup next time. I also plan to try different flavors in the future, especially vanilla.

This makes enough for two to three cups of coffee (at least the way I like it).

Ingredients

4 egg yolks
Pinch of sea salt
1/3-1/2 cup honey
14 oz. coconut milk
1/4 teaspoon natural almond extract

Method

Heat coconut milk in a medium saucepan to just boiling. Beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Add the salt and honey and continue to beat until thoroughly blended. Add hot coconut milk, a little at a time, to egg yolk mixture, while beating. Put the entire mixture back into the saucepan, and heat over medium low until mixture begins to thicken. Add to hot coffee in desired proportion, and enjoy.

Spiced Steamed Milk

This has taken the place of hot chocolate in our family as a warm comfort drink.

INGREDIENTS:

1 c nut milk
1/2 c coconut milk
1 T honey or to taste
2 egg yolks (optional)

spices-
-5 green cardamom pods, or
-1 stick cinnamon and 5 whole cloves, or
lavender or rose petals, or
-1-2  tsp vanilla extract

To make this, combine the milks in a saucepan. Gently heat the mixture over medium to low heat and add the desired spices (except for vanilla).  If using cardamom pods, press on them to crack them open before adding to the pan.  Turn heat to low (or off), cover, and let sit for 15-30 minutes, or until then milk is spiced to taste.

 Strain the mixture into a bowl.  Stir in the honey to taste and the vanilla if using.  If using egg yolks, mix them in with either a whisk or hand blender (the hand blender will make the milk mixture frothy).

Pour into cups and serve.  This recipe makes two servings.

Simple Latte

I came up with this option for my very occasional espresso or coffee drink because my counter space is too precious to keep my espresso machine on hand. It's easy to run to a neighborhood coffee shop for the espresso or coffee, but what to do about the foamed milk? I find coconut milk much too strong (and thick) to use as creamer, so here's my solution, which is so good I don't miss the "real" thing!

 INGREDIENTS:

1 c nut milk
1/4 c coconut milk
1 tsp honey or to taste
1-2 shots of espresso
grated nutmeg to sprinkle on top (optional)
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

In a small saucepan, mix together the milks. Gently heat the milk mixture while stirring until it reaches the desired temperature.  Remove from heat and stir in the honey to taste and the vanilla if using. 

You can steam the milk with an espresso machine if you have one handy, or you can froth it with a hand blender by gently lifting the blender to the surface while it's running to form bubbles.  Do this slowly and carefully as it can be extremely messy.

Pour the mixture into a tall glass.  Sprinkle nutmeg on top if desired.

VARIATIONS:
The milk mixture also works well as a coffee creamer and makes a good cafe au lait. In the summer, I plan to blend the nut milk with frozen coconut milk in the blender to make an iced latte. You can experiment with various flavoring extracts (such as almond) if you are feeling adventurous.

Lime Coconut Cream Soda

This is simple and very refreshing.

INGREDIENTS:

juice of 2 limes
1-2 T coconut milk
1-2 T honey
sparkling water (about 12 oz)

METHOD:

Juice the two limes, and put this juice in a small saucepan. Heat it slightly and add in the honey. Heat it just enough for the honey to dissolve, then remove from heat.

Pour into a tall glass or small pitcher, add in the coconut milk and stir, then fill up the glass or pitcher with the sparkling water.

If a creamier drink is desired simply add more coconut milk.

Orange Creamsicle Milkshake

This is a very simple, very delicious treat on a warm day. Orange creamsicle is one of my favorite flavors and while this doesn't look orange, the taste is just right! My kids also loved this.

To make, I combined about 1 1/2 cups of coconut ice cream and the juice from two oranges in the blender. I put vanilla in my ice cream when I make it- if you don't , add some vanilla into the blender as well. Add about 1-2 T of honey (or to taste) and blend. If you find that the honey doesn't blend in well this way, you can also heat the orange juice a little on the stove and mix the honey in- it will melt in that way and stay dissolved in the cold drink.

Coconut Cappuccino

Coconut Cappuccino

Technically, I'm supposed to have only "weak" coffee. I'm not sure if the decaf espresso in this drink qualifies, but I'm limiting myself to once a week, on Sunday mornings. I used coconut milk instead of regular milk for the foam, and it really tastes great. I sweetened it with a touch of honey and topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon. I made this last week when our guests were here, and my non-GAPS friend really enjoyed this too.

Blackberry Smoothie

We didn't have any bananas or avocadoes today, but the boys still wanted a smoothie. So I tried it with extra flax seed oil. The result? My six year old said, "This is delicious!" and "I love blackberries!"

Ingredients

10 oz. frozen blackberries
1 1/2 cups water
2 Tbsp. flax seed oil
1 tsp. cinnamon
Pinch of cloves
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Honey to taste

Blend and enjoy!

Smoothies

Well, I was reluctant to do smoothies without dairy or some commercial dairy substitute. Before GAPS, I had been using hemp milk. But I finally gave it a try a few days ago, with great results. I figured if I added something fatty like avocado or flax seed oil, the result would be creamy, even if the base was water. This is also a great way to get my kids to consume some things they might otherwise not try.

Blueberry Banana Smoothie

1 Banana
1/2 avocado
10 oz. frozen blueberries
1 1/2 cups filtered water
Honey to taste
Cinnamon to taste
Cloves to taste

Raspberry Smoothie

My six year old said this was the best one yet. I think I preferred it with strawberries instead of raspberries, but they were both really good.

1 Banana
10 oz. frozen raspberries
1 Tbsp. flax seed oil
1 1/2 cups filtered water
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Honey to taste