Last week I picked up both a kefir and sourdough start, it feels like I've adopted two pets because they came with 10 pages of instructions. This is my second try at both and I'm determined to keep them thriving.
After a good week of regular feeding, stirring and fermenting we enjoyed a kefir smoothie and batch of sourdough pancakes, there are still some kinks to work out but again I'm determined. I've named one "bubbles" and the other "critters" and like to cheer them in their growing and fermenting.
There are great health benefits to fermenting - check out this kefir site where I spent hours skimming. I'm still looking for some good sourdough sources though - specifically gluten free sourdough. Several individuals in our family have developed food intolerances and the hope is that these two "starts" will aid in digestion and give us more food options. They may be stinky and not look very pretty on the counter but they are good for you and we like the way they taste.
I had never heard of kefir before. It sounds like a great thing to have if you are lactose intolerant. So many people are in Japan.
ReplyDeleteThat reminds me... You should have seen me carry around this special Korean yogurt my friend in Evanston game me. I made new yogurt with it every day, and then carried it to our DC hotel. When we were checking out so we could drive home to Philly, I tripped over the floor mat at the entrance and spilled the yogurt out of the cup. Scott, after watching me carefully keeping this yogurt going for weeks, bent down and tried to scrape it off the dirty mat. I can still hear him say, "Mari, you can still do it. i think I got a table spoon of it." I could imagine how much more germs it had picked up, and gave up. I hope your adventure will be more successful.
Hi, I came here via ThisMommaMakesStuff, via Design Mom. I just scrolled through several posts and really like your blog. I loved the scrappy underwear--SO cute!
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of kefir until my husband mail-ordered some recently. Ours had a strong yeast taste that I didn't care for and we just couldn't get past it. Also, I kept asking, "So is this permanent decor in my kitchen, now?" Eventually he put it in the freezer since he couldn't bear for it to go to waste (but I think after a few months I will persuade him to throw it out.) It sounds like you're having better luck with yours!
I went to bed last night chuckling about this post so I decided to comment this morning. The only thought I had was...
ReplyDeleteI feel guilty throwing out the Friendship Bread dough I forgot to knead or add flour because I can't count days. I'm always so sad when someone gives us some for I know what's coming.
Can't imagine doing this to myself on purpose however, lol! :)
Al, good luck keeping the starts alive. It's great for food storage ;-) and a good science project for the kids. I've killed my start almost 6 or 7 times since moving to UT. Good thing Becca and Dad are keeping it alive. :-)
ReplyDeleteGod luck Al, now you have like 8 kids to take care of! I don't have the same energy I used to- tired all the time! Take care
ReplyDeleteKaley
Al, you may remember I've been down many a food allergy road with Benjamin. If you need some recipes or are avoiding specific ingredients, let me know. I am a HUGE believer in the power of probiotics on our overall health. I also think eating off a (dirty) floor or two isn't bad. But that's another story.
ReplyDeleteCaryn