Recipe contest: water kefir grains

[Theloose]

I have too many grains. I hate to throw them away. It seems like there is so much you *could* do with them, but I haven't figured it out yet...

Today we had a bowlful of grains, tossed with honey and sprinkled with cinnamon. Not bad!

What have you done with them?

[menomena]

Originally Posted by whoMe

What have you done with them?

not made kefir, that's for sure. i don't think i'm doing it right. off to read the kefir thread in TF...

back to topic, though, is it just like eating a huge mega-serving of probiotics or, what?

[kortner]

Joined Kefir Evangelical? Started knocking on doors spreading the good word of kefir?

Seriously though, I've just started preaching to my friends and giving them yummy tastes of kefir when they come over and grains to start their own. I've also made experimental batches with grape juice & grapes (champagne kefir!) or fun flavors like papaya/lime kefir. MMMMM!

[Theloose]

Where did that smilie come from!?

You two aren't being helpful with recipes... Though thanks for the reminder to do kefir juice

I'm thinking jello... some sort of bubble tea.. in salad dressing... get creative!

[kortner]

I dunno... I have eaten the fruit out of my batches of kefir (raisins, papaya, apricots), and it made me sick to my stomach. So does the grain sludge at the bottom of the jar.

Maybe once my detox pathways are more functional

Have you tried that pumpkin seed kefir?

[menomena]

Originally Posted by whoMe

You two aren't being helpful with recipes... Though thanks for the reminder to do kefir juice

Sorry, I forgot who's thread I was in.

I like the idea of bubble tea.

Mix it with some fruit and yogurt or coconut milk? "ambrosia"

put it in a sweet & sour sauce?

[Chinese Pistache]

Originally Posted by menomena

not made kefir, that's for sure. i don't think i'm doing it right. off to read the kefir thread in TF...

back to topic, though, is it just like eating a huge mega-serving of probiotics or, what?

I just ordered kefir grains for the first time. I'm so excited to try them

[Theloose]

Originally Posted by menomena

Sorry, I forgot who's thread I was in.

I like the idea of bubble tea.

Mix it with some fruit and yogurt or coconut milk? "ambrosia"

put it in a sweet & sour sauce?

You know I was totally just teasing, right?

ambrosia. Now THAT's worthy of an entry into the contest

how would the sweet and sour work?

[menomena]

Originally Posted by whoMe

You know I was totally just teasing, right?

of course. we're all friendly friends here.

ambrosia. Now THAT's worthy of an entry into the contest

:

how would the sweet and sour work?

er... off the top of my head... some ACV + some tomato paste + some fish sauce + some honey + garlic (if you can do it, i'm so sad that we can't ), simmered until "saucy". cool and stir in kefir grains (bonus: it's a thickener, too) and some green onion tops. serve over steamed veggies & meat of your choice.

[changingseasons]

eeeewwww... I can't even stand it if a grain gets in my mouth while I'm drinking my water kefir.

But your last post reminded me of a question- are whole food probiotics still viable if you cook them??

[Theloose]

Originally Posted by changingseasons

But your last post reminded me of a question- are whole food probiotics still viable if you cook them??

highly doubtful - the enzymes would denature, and the bacteria would die. I wonder what happens to the histamine...

[changingseasons]

Originally Posted by whoMe

highly doubtful - the enzymes would denature, and the bacteria would die. I wonder what happens to the histamine...

That's what I figured. I just noticed that your last recipe said to COOL the sauce before adding the grains.

So what would be the benefit of sourdough bread or injera (which I just made)? Just easier digestion? (sorry, totally ot.)

[Theloose]

Originally Posted by changingseasons

So what would be the benefit of sourdough bread or injera (which I just made)? Just easier digestion? (sorry, totally ot.)

Yup. And more bioavailable nutrients.

[changingseasons]

Originally Posted by whoMe

Yup. And more bioavailable nutrients.

Aah, yes- I forgot about the nutrients.

[quelindo]

Originally Posted by menomena

not made kefir, that's for sure. i don't think i'm doing it right. off to read the kefir thread in TF...

I didn't have any luck with mine until I stuck the big mason jar (the eight-cup one, I think?) in my Salton yogurt maker. I think it heats it up just enough to make the grains happy in my freezing cold house, but with the top off and the jar sticking half or more out of it it doesn't get TOO hot.

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by whoMe

Where did that smilie come from!?

From us tea drinkers.

ETA: Wanted to sub here but I don't have kefir grains... yet.

[menomena]

Originally Posted by New Mama

I didn't have any luck with mine until I stuck the big mason jar (the eight-cup one, I think?) in my Salton yogurt maker. I think it heats it up just enough to make the grains happy in my freezing cold house, but with the top off and the jar sticking half or more out of it it doesn't get TOO hot.

I put mine on a heat vent with a box over it. too hot? maybe if i put a towel between the jar and the vent?

ETA: this was after 36hrs in my pantry yielded zero change.

[quelindo]

Originally Posted by menomena

I put mine on a heat vent with a box over it. too hot? maybe if i put a towel between the jar and the vent?

ETA: this was after 36hrs in my pantry yielded zero change.

Huh. Maybe that's not quite warm enough? I'm on the shores of Lake Michigan too. It's dang cold here!

[menomena]

Originally Posted by New Mama

Huh. Maybe that's not quite warm enough? I'm on the shores of Lake Michigan too. It's dang cold here!

It was negative 9 yesterday morning. negative 6 today. :

Shhh. Shannon is gonna us!

[kortner]

I dunno if this might help, and I don't want to get in trouble! BUT...

The neighbor who gave me grains said our water is too soft for them to work well, so you need to add minerals. Brewing minerals (?) she said, or use mineral water, OR add a boiled sea shell (like oyster/clam). I have one batch w/ shell, and 2 without, the shell one gets fizzier and reproduces better than the others. Maybe that could make a difference?

Now as to those grains... Add them to the blender for your blender batter? Or your green juice? Creamy soups?

Add them to your epsom bath?