Kefir - Probiotic Gold by Jaricia Greiss

Kefir is probiotic gold. Since it is happily growing in a substance
that it thrives in (milk) it is more likely to set up house in the
intestinal tract than probiotic capsules. Kefir made from kefir grains
has more probiotic bacteria than other mediums, but in a pinch
commercial kefir or probiotic capsules still are an aide to the immune
system.

My son who had terrible eczema for years completely cleared up after I started him on probiotics. (Ed note: The fermentation of the kefir culture helps digest the milk protein and often eliminates allergic reactions to dairy products.)

My kids have a smoothie made from kefir every day. Yogurt can be mixed with kefir or used alone if you find the flavor of kefir disagreeable in the following recipes.

Although raw milk is best when using kefir grains, store bought milk
does have a milder kefir flavor (less sour). To make kefir at home you
can use the commercial packet or use kefir grains. Kefir grains are
added to milk and left to ferment in a capped jar on the counter for
about 24 hours.

Watch the milk change over that time. You will see itchange consistency from a liquid to a more gelatinous substance. When the kefir is ready, pour the fermented liquid into a colander over a bowl and tap the colander a little until the milk goes through into the bowl and the kefir grains are left in the colander. Use the kefir grains over and over to make more. (ed Note: The colander should be fine mesh, not big open holes or the kefir grains will be lost.)

Don't be alarmed if you notice some pockets of whey in your kefir this just means that the kefir is a little too done, it is still drinkable unless it is really separated, it will be more sour though. Kefir whey is very easy to make with kefir grains if you let the fermenting milk sit out on the counter for about away and a half. The fermented milk becomes very gelatinous and floats to the top while the whey settles on the bottom.

The whey is easily separated from the kefir cheese by dumping the whole jar of kefir into a dish towel lined colander. ( Once the whey has dripped through, pour the whey into a jar and refrigerate it for adding to soaking liquid for breads, grains, legumes, and lacto-fermented vegetable making.

Be sure to retrieve the kefir grains out of the resulting kefir cheese. There is no need to wash the kefir grains, just put them in fresh milk. You can put them in a smaller amount of milk and store them in the refrigerator between batches. Remember that kefir grains are a living culture and you need to feed them fresh milk from time to time. I try to refresh the milk once a week if I am having a low use week.

You can use the "refrigerator" kefir (stored) to cook with as you would sour milk. I sometimes give it to my dog who loves the stuff.

When you are ready to make more kefir from the refrigerated grains they may take a little longer to ferment the milk Just add the grains to fresh milk and leave the jar of the counter out of direct light for 24 hours. Every now and then give the jar a little shake to disperse the good bacteria through the milk.It takes about 1 T of kefir grains to ferment 1 quart of milk. If you have more grains the milk will ferment in less time. Kefir grains can be kept in the refrigerator for longer period with more milk to feedom. I let mine sit for 3 weeks in the frig using a quart of liquid. Kefir grains are reusable and multiple at a good pace so you can share the wealth with others.

If your grains are large or don't seem to be doing their job break them apart and they will kefir the milk better. Kefir grains can be used to make other non milk beverages but they must then be used exclusively for that beverage ( such as in coconut kefir) they cannot be added to milk again. They are the same kefir grains, if you want to try other beverages with your grains then I would recommend rinsing off the milk residue first.

Apple Kefir Smoothie

3 cups cold kefir
1/2 tsp. Stevia powder (depends on the brand, possibly less)
generous dribble of maple syrup (1/4c?) I don't measure it.
3 apples with skins, cored
good sprinkle of cinnamon
6-8 ice cubes

Blend well in a blender that will crush ice. I use the Vitamix. (A Bosch Universal Blender also works). Kefir smoothies make up better in this large batch.

Tropical Fruit Kefir Smoothie

3 cups of kefir
1/4 tsp stevia powder or other natural sweetener
1 banana
2 handfuls of frozen fruit
6-8 ice cubes
1 T coconut oil (optional)
2 T flax seed (optional)