In the second in my Fermented Foods series: Kefir.
Kefir is a thick fermented milk beverage. Like yogurt, kefir also has the protein and calcium, however the method of fermentation and the types of organisms differ from yogurt. A kefir grain is used in the fermentation process and the products of that process are 1% alcohol as well as yeast.
You can find Kefir at most health food grocery stores.
Image courtesy of Danilo Rizzuti at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
In the first of my Fermented Food series, may I present yogurt.
Yogurt is known for containing the beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus. It also has calcium and protein and other healthy nutrients. Store bought yogurt must be labeled: ‘live active cultures’. If the product was pasteurized after it was fermented then all the beneficial bacteria would have been killed. You want either raw milk yogurt, or yogurt that was cultured after pasteurization. When making yogurt at home, you can use a scoop of store bought yogurt as a starter, or you can purchase a ‘starter kit’ (a packet of bacteria and other organisms) online. The point is to introduce some bacteria to milk and they will ferment it, populate it, and create yogurt.
mage courtesy of Master isolated images at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Black garlic is a delicacy that I heard about from my book editor. Developed in Korea, whole bulbs of fresh garlic are fermented. First, the garlic needs to be in a humidity-controlled environment at 140-170 degrees for 30 days. Then placed in a clean room for 45 days where it will oxidize and turn black. (I couldn’t find any usable pictures for you…sorry). Apparently this black garlic has a different chewy texture and tastes like balsamic vinegar or soy sauce.
This was brought to my attention because my editor wanted me to include it in my book’s section on ‘fermented foods’. However that section is about fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut, that contain a variety of beneficial microbes. We all need these probiotics to rebuild our gut flora. However, black garlic doesn’t contain any of those microbes. So it won’t be in the book on gut health.
It is still worth mentioning because of many other health benefits. It has anti-inflammatory properties, many vitamins and minerals, and is a powerful anti-oxidant. Anti-oxidants help fix damaged cells that can lead to cancer and heart disease.
So if you have 75 days, you can grow black garlic yourself. Or… you can just keep an eye out for it and impress people with your knowledge about this unusual food.
Image courtesy of SOMMAI at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
We are all familiar with cinnamon’s distinct smell and flavor. Did you know that cinnamon provides numerous health benefits?
So go out and enjoy your cinnamon 🙂
Image courtesy of Mister GC at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Happy February Everyone! Time to start thinking about what kinds of fun creative things you will do for Valentine’s Day! Here are some ideas to get you started. Above is the heart made of a variety of fruit.
Salty sugary chocolatey treat
Strawberry Rose
Cheese and Crackers make a good snack.
For these and more ideas check out my Valentine’s Pinterest page. And use those nifty share buttons!
In honor of the first night of Chanukah tonight, here are some more ideas for fun with food that kids will love (adult love ’em too). Be sure to check out Part 1, if you missed it!
A menorah made from bananas, pomegranate seeds and clementines. My kids were so excited they couldn’t decide what to eat first.
Dreidels made out of pretzel sticks, marshmallows and Hershey’s kisses. Glued together with frosting, and Hebrew letters written in frosting as well.
Fig newtons cut to the shape of a dreidel with a pretzel stick and frosting for the letters.
Check out more on my Jewish Food Pinterest board.
Use those nifty buttons below to share on social media-I bet you have some Jewish friends who would love this.
Raw milk, milk that hasn’t gone through the bacteria killing process of pasteurization, has gained popularity recently. People believe that it is healthier. But as a dietitian, I have always been scared of raw milk. Yes, scared. The bacteria it contains can cause an array of problems. Problems such as diarrhea, serious infection leading to hospitalization, miscarriages and even death. Just as with any bacteria or food-bourne pathogen, people with compromised immune systems are at greater risk. This includes children, older folks, and people with weak immune systems (as in those of us with auto-immune and/or gut problems).
Every day I get nutrition related news from around the world. Today I saw two articles about children that have died due to drinking raw milk.
From the CDC:
“A study published today in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal shows that the average annual number of outbreaks due to drinking raw (unpasteurized) milk more than quadrupled since the last similar study – from an average of three outbreaks per year during 1993-2006 to 13 per year during 2007-2012. Overall, there were 81 outbreaks in 26 states from 2007 to 2012. The outbreaks, which accounted for about 5 percent of all foodborne outbreaks with a known food source, sickened nearly 1,000 people and sent 73 to the hospital. More than 80 percent of the outbreaks occurred in states where selling raw milk was legal.”
For a more comprehensive review of the pros and cons of raw milk, check out the CDC’s page.
Another in the fun with food series in honor of the next upcoming holiday! Make these for your kids and watch the fruit and vegetables disappear.
Broccoli, tomatoes and carrots. Serve with Ranch dressing as dip!
Bananas, clementines, grapes, pomegranate, and pineapple for the star!
Check out more ideas on my Christmas pinterest board.
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Want your kids to eat veggies? Transform the veggies into FUN! Chanukah is next week, and here’s what I have made for my kids for the past two years. They eat is up like it candy.
Above: Asparagus for the candles, halved orange (or yellow or red) grape tomatoes for the flames, and a carrot base.
Celery and peanut butter with a wheat pretzel base.
Tons of other ideas, not so healthy ones too, on my Jewish Food and Fun Pinterest Board
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