Can I use sour milk for something?

[IlluminatedAttic]

We are big fans of raw milk, but until recently did not live in an area where it was readily and affordably avaiable. Now we do and my 2.5 yo is loving it! Last week he was sick though and we shelved the milk (in the refrigerator, of course) because he was so congested. The milk was originally purchased on 12/21 and frozen for over a week then thawed. We had some yesterday and it was fine, but today it had a slight smell/taste of sourness to it so I did not give it to ds. I know that part of the process of making certain yogurts, etc it to sour the milk, but I haven't done any of this yet and I'm not sure if I can use this milk or not because of its age. Are there any recipes I can try or should I just dump it?

[saratc]

Raw sour milk is great for you, packed with good bacteria. I turn our sour milk into chocolate milk by heating 1/2 cup to 1 cup milk with several spoons of unsweetened cocoa and then sweetening with honey when it cools. Then I mix it with several cups of the raw sour milk. You can make other flavors of milk by mixing with vanilla and honey or almond extract and honey.

When it gets too sour for flavored milk, you can use it in recipes. Soured milk goes great in baked goods. I also use it in my chicken a la king, biscuits, pancakes, butternut squash soup, pretty much any recipe calling for milk for buttermilk.

[Equuskia]

General, you don't have to worry about giving raw milk to a congested child, because it doesn't contain histamines, unlike pasteurized milk, where the heating causes the bacteria walls to burst, releasing their contents. Raw milk was used to cure respiratory diseases, amongst other ailments in the early days of the Mayo Clinic.

The sourness you taste in the milk is the result of the bacteria lactobacilli, which is very important for intestinal health. You don't have to dump it at all! Sour milk throughout history was considered like a medicine for many ailments, even given to invalids because it is easily digestible, and a gentle laxative. Sour milk is great for making queso blanco, a yummy white cheese that you can eat raw, with guava paste or fried and dipped in mayo-ketchup.

Ok enough, I'm getting hungry now!

[smeisnotapirate]

Originally Posted by Equuskia

Sour milk is great for making queso blanco, a yummy white cheese that you can eat raw, with guava paste or fried and dipped in mayo-ketchup.

Ok enough, I'm getting hungry now!

Mmmmmmm.... pasta de guayaba.

Best. dessert. ever.

[thedomesticdiva]

Raw milk does not go rancid like pasteurized, so you can also just add a little sugar and drink it straight up...
It is also great for baking...
There is a whole page on WestonaPrice.org about what to do with soured milk. They especially say - NEVER throw it away...
And it has been really strange for me to change my mindest about not giving it to the kids when they have a cold or stomach virus - this milk helps them heal faster!!

[IlluminatedAttic]

Thanks everyone!!

It's only been a few weeks that we have had access to raw milk, so although I did the research when ds was a baby and decided raw was the way to go it was all in theory. Except for a couple of quarts of raw goats milk we were able to get about a year ago, breastmilk has been ds's only milk. Now I need to learn the reality part. Thanks for the info about raw when ds is sick, I didn't even think about looking that up. Now I know for next time.

Off to make some cheese and see if it reminds dh of his childhood....

[Taedareth]

That recipe for Spanish cheese looks yummy - but it calls for heating up to 185*. Do you think there's any major benefit to eating this cheese since there are no live enzymes in it?

[Bensmommy]

I'd cook with it, drink it, or make cream cheese and whey from it. The last is the easiest (I'm doing it right now!). Just put it in a wide mouth container on the counter, let it separate into curds and whey, then dump it into a strainer that's lined with cheese cloth that sits over a bowl (to let the whey run out), after it's done dripping there, pour the whey into a jar and tie the cheese cloth on a spoon over the jar to let it continue to drip (I use big mason jars). Once it's truly done dripping, you have cream cheese in the cheese cloth and whey in the jar! Super easy!

Here's the WAPF link (the article is written by my chapter leader and friend Sarah!)- http://www.westonaprice.org/foodfeat...e_rawmilk.html

[Taedareth]

If you're going to make cheese like in the post above this one, KEEP THE FRUIT FLIES AWAY. Last time I tried this, I did my best to keep the flies off but they laid eggs in the curds while they were dripping or possibly while the cheese was curing, and a few days later worms crawled out.

[Equuskia]

Originally Posted by Taedareth

That recipe for Spanish cheese looks yummy - but it calls for heating up to 185*. Do you think there's any major benefit to eating this cheese since there are no live enzymes in it?

All the milk proteins including proteins normally lost in the whey are included in the cheese. Basically, it's a tasty high protein snack.

Mmmm pasta de guayaba....

[gardenmommy]

Originally Posted by Taedareth

If you're going to make cheese like in the post above this one, KEEP THE FRUIT FLIES AWAY. Last time I tried this, I did my best to keep the flies off but they laid eggs in the curds while they were dripping or possibly while the cheese was curing, and a few days later worms crawled out.

OH MY!!! That would totally send me over the edge! I will always keep my cheeses covered after reading this! Tell me you didn't actually eat this... please tell me you didn't... going away to think nice thoughts now...


To the PP, sour milk is great for baking any and everything. That's what I usually use it for.

[Bensmommy]

Originally Posted by Taedareth

If you're going to make cheese like in the post above this one, KEEP THE FRUIT FLIES AWAY. Last time I tried this, I did my best to keep the flies off but they laid eggs in the curds while they were dripping or possibly while the cheese was curing, and a few days later worms crawled out.

AGHHHH!!!!!! Wow! I keep any buggies away by separating the milk in a closed mason jar, then when I'm dripping the whey from the curd I cover the whole bowl/strainer/cheese cloth area with a clean, damp kitchen towel. Wow, I hope you didn't eat that cheese!

[sedalbj]

Originally Posted by Equuskia

General, you don't have to worry about giving raw milk to a congested child, because it doesn't contain histamines, unlike pasteurized milk, where the heating causes the bacteria walls to burst, releasing their contents. Raw milk was used to cure respiratory diseases, amongst other ailments in the early days of the Mayo Clinic.

I didn't know that, wow, thanks!