Kitchen Tips and Tricks #3: Milk Kefir Uses

[@RainCountryHomestead]

NOTE: I forgot to mention in this video that this is about ways to use your milk kefir in baking as opposed to the standard methods of raw cheese making and using in smoothies for the sake of the probiotics. So if you already are making milk kefir for the gut health benefits, then here are more uses on top of what you already do. Yes, heating the kefir in the baked goods is going to destroy much of the probiotic benefits but the point is about using it as a buttermilk replacement for fluffier breads. Plus, it will still offer more benefits than using just plain milk in your breads

[@Kathkanso]

Rain Country adding the kifir to batter and couple of table spoons to cakes mix does produce yummy fluffy results.

[@ahmednasr8228]

My daughter's name is Heidi, Ali, your name is Haha

[@ahmednasr8228]

I am Abu Heidi from Egypt

[@bungikevin3917]

My mom refuses to eat/drink anything kefir, but to her surprise she has been eating it in my ranch and onion dip LOL! It's fabulous!

[@eugene7304]

My 1st time coming to your channel, & you had my subscription at "God is good, all the time" sister, it surely is the truth.

[@grams5861]

You are the ME I always dreamed to be. As a single Mom of three, one with severe disabilities and the necessity to work full time outside the home I was never able to devote my time making everything as natural and homemade as possible. I did try to feed my family as much as possible with natural whole foods. Now that I no longer have that responsibility I am having a lot of fun doing what you are doing. Thank you so much for your insightfulness and the bubbly way you present your videos.

[@patriciaschaefer1732]

You are amazing! ! Hope your husband appreciates you! That pancake recipe is WAY Out of my league. Thanks. I have been watching for about a year. God Bless and Be well!

[@sharonhoffer3599]

Great tip about taking the grains out after 24 hours and just storing them in the fridge until you need to make your next batch - thank you 🙏🏽

[@dotjeff4543]

I like to use kefir in egg salad, potato salad, tuna and salmon salad, creamy salad dressings and fruit smoothies.

[@grammyspieface1]

Wow, we need a cookbook and this and that from you, amazing... I am so happy I found your channel!! I have 2 notebooks filled with notes from your videos, you guys cover so much good stuff!! I have been ordering what I will need for the various things having to pack it all away til we move when our house sells and I hope it goes quickly, I can't wait to get to do all these things!! My Favorite channel is yours, I have never learned so much. THANK YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND , what a blessing you two are!!

[@RainCountryHomestead]

That is so sweet! Thank you! I pray you are able to get moved and settled soon!

[@sharrilswindle752]

@@RainCountryHomestead Thank you ,and greatly appreciate the prayers, they do more than anything can!!

[@blessedbloominghomestead9134]

Kefir in ranch sounds so good! 😊

[@leighleeds390]

Our son had severe gut, digestives issues and tested allergic to most all food. After giving this to him daily, he improved dramatically and within 3 months, has no allergies and digests everything. I've heard milk Kefir has over 50 probiotics.

[@JohnQPublic345]

I'm hoping this works for my gut too

[@njoyingtube1]

Leigh Leeds , hope you don't mind my asking , how old your son was / is as my baby grandson has gastrointestinal reflux problems we're concerned for his esophagus . doctors obviously haven't recommended natural alternatives , hope your son is still Healthy & Happy

[@katk78]

How is yourbsoj doing after a year now?

[@leighleeds390]

@njoyingtube1 I'm sorry I didn't write sooner. I just saw this. He's 11yo. Very healthy. No allergies. No gut issues. Maybe catches 1 bug/yr but resolves within a day or so. We believe Gods' hands was in our sons' healing. It was quite miraculous

[@leighleeds390]

@njoyingtube1 As crazy as it sounds, there are many who believe that one of the problems causing gastric reflux, is a lack of proper amounts digestive acids, not an overabundance.

[@dagmarking3974]

I love the sparkle in your eyes as you were explaining the way you used the milk kefir. Thank you for all your wonderful information. God bless you.💖💖

[@denisescull4227]

I love to make kefir cheese, I prefer it over cream cheese, by far. Let it thicken up and strain it like you would yogurt for Greek yogurt. Thanks for sharing Heidi, I'm enjoying your Kitchen Tips and Tricks series

[@Kre8iviT27]

How do u thicken it?

[@mirian593]

This week I made the levain pancakes using my sourdough starter and turned out to be the most soft pancakes I ever ate, going to try your recipe now. Thank you for sharing ❤

[@TheLeisamarie]

This is fantastic! I have been using my homemade yogurt in place of milk and buttermilk in all my baking, now I have another option for using the milk kieffer. Thanks Heidi! God bless!

[@LaurieChistine]

The only way my daughter will have kefir is a kefir cheese onion dip. I just add sea salt and onion powder (sometimes I add sauteed then pureed onions). It's super simple and tastes just like french onion dip without all the added unpronounceable ingredients.

[@rhondamontiel3827]

One of my favorite things to do with my milky for is to make an overnight refrigerator breakfast pudding. I add out meal Chia seed flax and whatever fruits I have available. Then if it's too tart for me I add stevia. And of course I use it as a sour cream replacement as much as possible. And sometimes I even use it to make a French onion dip. That's about all I ever use mine for besides making smoothies . I should do a lot more and always welcome more ideas

[@adamcontreras7915]

French onion dip, what's the recipe

[@rhondamontiel3827]

@@adamcontreras7915 just yogurt or sour cream and French onion soup mix

[@adamcontreras7915]

@@rhondamontiel3827 thanks, I'ma try to make some

[@rhondamontiel3827]

@@adamcontreras7915 do a taste test before you add the whole pot. It can be pretty strong. And of course it's best to let it sit for a while so the onions can rehydrate

[@rebeccanichols1165]

Im a newbie, i have been interested in going into whole foods. Not only to become more self sufficient, but also to see if it will help with some of my health problems. One being extremely overweight. So begins my journey. Thank you for sharing and God bless

[@suecollins3246]

Makes a great base for some salad dressings as well.

[@countrygalinthecity]

I was so happy to hear you say you can freeze the grains! I had to do that with mine cause our girls needed to dry out cause they are with kid right now

[@shawnmarie6223]

I drink it straight up, but now that I am making it again searching for alternate uses. great video.

[@catt8247]

I'm learning, never bought never used it. You have my attention can't wait to see the series. Thank you so much keep up the good work.

[@grams5861]

I loved seeing your Danish Whisk. It is such a useful tool. It works wonderfully with any batter or dough recipes.

[@beverlylevenhagen454]

I love keifer! My mom has diverticulitis and keifer has really helped her. She drinks at least a half gallon a week. As far as other uses. I make overnight oats with it for my husband's breakfast. I'm not a breakfast eater either. I also soak steel cut oats in the fridge overnight before I cook them. It makes them softer easier for my husband to eat. Thanks for the info! 😊

[@belieftransformation]

Great ideas for the milk kefir. I use it in my sourdough recipe.

[@deborahenderson1395]

I don't like milk much, don't like buttermilk at all, but love kefir. These are all store bought. I have started using it in a lot of things. My next step is to start making my own.

[@tennesseegirl1215]

Great info, dear friend thanks for all the nuggets you teach us, blessings

[@Kathkanso]

I have been using goats milk as it’s a little kinder on my digestion,and now have two large jars of kifir, one for the milk and one for making yogurt or thick creamy cheese - thanks for all your tips and demos they really are very helpful and encouraging 🙏🏽🇬🇧

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Yes, goat milk is great but just not an option for us anymore, sadly. There are other people around here with goats but other than my friend that gave us milk weekly until she had to get rid of her goats, no one else has been a reliable source.

[@n.watson8497]

That looks like a fantastic pancake recipe. Too bad I'm not there to taste. :-) I use kefir in a lot of the same ways you do. I occasionally add it to bread recipes too or drink it straight up.

[@nurqamruddin9989]

Thanks for sharing great information ❤stay blessed 😇

[@mamabear9389]

Thanks for the great video Heidi (as usual). I have been making kefir for years with raw A2 cow milk. I have not tried anything else with it except kefir cream cheese. I am tempted to try using some in my Einkorn sourdough bread. I am very curious as to why you do not eat breakfast and dinner. Looking forward to your video on that!

[@auntyp2980]

did lifer make you loose weight when you started on it? I heard that it causes weight loss so I'm afraid to try it as I'm already underweight and would love to put on weight

[@mamabear9389]

@@auntyp2980 I did not lose weight on it.

[@WendyK656]

Heidi, I use Vinegar too and I use it with the mother. I know I have to start making my own, but have not been brave enough to try it. *lol* I need mike Kefir grains, would love to try this.

[@gailsgardenherbsmore1605]

As always enjoyed your video. Question: Wouldn't the heat from cooking the biscuits or pancakes kill the good bacteria in the batter?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Generally, yes, but I do believe it will still have healthy benefits however, that is not the point of this video as it is more about showing how you can use your kefir in baking instead of just the standard health uses such as using to make a raw cheese or in smoothies

[@Gengh13]

There has been some studies that show that heat treated probiotics also have benefits similar to living ones.

[@marthaadams8326]

Great topic. I have been making coconut kefir for a long time, but since I am not in the nutribullet mode right now, I have looking for other uses. I let it grow 2-3 days now because it gets thicker and I can just strain it and have a soft cheese or a topping for berries. I wonder how much you lose the probiotics when you bake with it. It is great to not have to get sour milk any more and recently, more coconut choices are available. They actually had coconut brown sugar (just coconut) available - not sure I like the taste quite so much. I am making dried mixes for gravy right now and using some interesting mixes so instead of having to cook for a long time one item at a time, you can use the mix and have almost a meal when you want to eat some. It is just me - so making everything from scratch is not much fun when hungry. Having a mix ready is a good idea. Do you have a video on dried zucchini pancakes? - sounded fascinating.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I do not think I did a video on the pancakes but somewhere I have a couple videos talking about the many ways of using up zucchini when one has a lot coming in. I think I show using the Z powder in my hamburger bun video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmHMlWilbsutgZI

[@JaniceCrowell]

Mary (Mary's Nest) says the grains can be dehydrated. Maybe as you get too much you can dehydrate. You could possibly even sell the excess on your store? Or of course, barter with it.

[@TRuth.T]

Thanks, for sharing. Would the heating kill any benefits in the kefir?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Yes, it is likely to do that,which is why it is good to have it in other ways for the health benefits, this is more for showing how it can be used in baking

[@mamabear9389]

I typically let my kefir go for 24 hours. If I am lazy, I put it in the fridge after 24 hours for another 24 hours. The cold slows it down so the grains don’t eat up all the sugar. Lots depends on temps too. I usually only do the lazy method in winter because in summer the grains go crazy and eat more! If I get too many grains I throw them into the compost. However, that is a great idea to freeze them! As for as storing them in the fridge, I thought you are supposed to replace the milk they are in once a week. Do you do this? Thanks.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I feed excess grains to the dog and chickens. They love them :D

[@mamabear9389]

Rain Country Great idea. I do give the dogs kefir but have not given them grains. No chickens here but we are hoping to move to a homestead later this year where we will have them.

[@Kathkanso]

Forgot to add ,I add it to my fermented porridge,l let it stand for a day out of fridge in a jar ,then over the next few day gobble it up with my fermented bananas which I’ve made with my kombucha,I just crave the fizz and sourness of fermented foods 😀

[@WildAcreWood]

Ooouuhhh fermented bananas! Never tried those! I have kombucha going all the time. Sometimes I use misc tea bag flavors in the f2. I tried apples and dried pears along with cranberries and put cinnamon on the pears and that is one of the best kombucha’s ever made!🙂

[@4chomestead680]

Hi Heidi, I have a question about the milk you use. I used to have dairy goats but since selling my farm I only have access to milk at my local stores. The problem I find with all the organic milk available to me is that it is ultra-pastureized. Is that what you use? I was always told that milk kefir wouldn't work with ultra-pastureized milk...but if you do it, I am going to try it! Thank you for this series. I am learning so many new things; in fact I have my first can of coffee grounds ready to go on my berry plants! Sheena

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Yes, sadly, it is ultra pasteurized. We are pretty limited at what we can get around here but I have had no problem with it working well as a kefir. Now I have made kefir out of boxed milk, and while it does ok, it does not do near as well and it seems my grains end up not being as healthy but with the organic Costco milk, they seem plenty happy.

[@4chomestead680]

@@RainCountryHomestead thank you Heidi! I understand being limited. I live in WV which is a very poor food desert. I was just surprised when I saw the milk you were using and now I am excited to get some milk kefir in my life again!

[@denisescull4227]

@4C Homestead- Whole Foods 365 brand organic milk is the only one I have found that isn't ultra pastureized. I haven't done an extensive search, it just so happens that I discovered it on accident after looking for ultra pastureized organic milk for a specific recipe and assumed all organic milk was ultra pastureized. Most are, whole foods 365 organic is not

[@4chomestead680]

@@denisescull4227 thank so much! I will see if I can find it locally.

[@lizchilders4154]

I may try making Crème Fraiche using Kefir instead of Buttermilk mixed with heavy cream.

[@lenadial4678]

Where did you buy, frozen pop containers. I have found good ones? Ty for all ur tips & God bless you & prosper u & yours...

[@krissk77]

Next... the pancake for me. ❤

[@kindred1113]

Thanks for the video Heidi.....I never make them but I will try....not to hard to make....blessings.....MINDY

[@WildAcreWood]

So I am assuming the milk kefer Has to be “babysat” quite a bit more than let’s say the kombucha? I like my kombucha a bit more on the tangy/vinegary taste so it sits a little bit longer. Thanks for all these awesome videos! I’m gonna watch the rest of them on this subject. I haven’t been getting any interruptions today so I’ve been able to fly through your videos as I am trans-planting my seedlings and doing kitchen chores!☺️

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Well sort of, especially when they are new grains or using dehydrated grains or they have not been used in awhile.

[@WildAcreWood]

@@RainCountryHomestead ah ok thanks!🥰🌱

[@mariep4018]

I’m going to try making buttermilk with Kiefer. What a good idea. I love buttermilk biscuits. I’m gonna try that great thinking. I also use it for pancakes. And I make sour cream Kiefer and cream cheese Kiefer. And I make small batches. like I’ll make one cup and then I’ll drink it rather than keep store and all the Kiefer in my refrigerator. Then when I want to make cheese or sour cream, then I make bigger batches. I even give kefir to my dogs the greens because he gets so many. So they get their probiotics to.

[@louannnance637]

Thank you, very helpful

[@runawaybead]

Sounds awesome ❤️

[@vincerieger6143]

Thanks

[@wildflower1335]

Heidi, we are living a Ketogenic lifestyle for our health 4 years now. Question? Can I use Heavy whipping cream...or at least 1/2 & 1/2?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Since I have never done keto nor am that familiar with it, I do not know all the rules so I cannot say. Though I think rules should not matter so much when it comes to any specific diet, it should be about what makes you feel best and gives you the best results

[@iratyul5453]

I'm trying the first time to make kefir. My grains got bad. But I like to drink, or do crapes, pancakes. Summer veggies soup .

[@jlmitchell1135]

Thankyou from Australia

[@kindred1113]

Thanks for a great video as always Heidi....you are always full of great information....blessings...MINDY

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Thank you Mindy!

[@scotchcrofter9964]

Great info.

[@JaniceCrowell]

Do you think the heat used in cooking the pancakes is hot enough to kill all the probiotics? Or do you think a lot of it will survive?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I likely does kill them but the point is there is using as a buttermilk replacement. I do not make milk kefir anymore though and not sure I will get back into it again

[@tina_rochelle]

@@RainCountryHomesteadMay I ask why not? Just started making…

[@RainCountryHomestead]

@@tina_rochelle Just one more thing to babysit and over time I got burned out on the flavor. I have enough things to take care of these days. Currently surrounded by grandbabies while also tending to chores, my channel, and my other social media sites

[@tina_rochelle]

@@RainCountryHomestead Understandable. I look forward to grand babies one day😊. Love your vids. Take care…

[@369simsim]

Hey just little help needed, for smoothie you use the glass jar mixer blender... Doesn't it has the steal blades in it, for i heard it's not recommended to use steel utensils, please guide

[@RainCountryHomestead]

STAINLESS steel is non reactive and thus safe. I have been using stainless steel items for ferments of all kinds from the very first ferment I ever made, which was kimchi at least 23 years ago or more

[@timmyboyd5506]

I'm starting my first batch with grains. Wish me luck.

[@daisycofresi7252]

Hi can you please tell me where l can get grains. I do not know how to do links. I am not good in these links or other things to look for. 😢

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Sorry, I have not bought them in years and the ones I bought are no longer available

[@evelyny7037]

Cultured food for life, Donna Schwenk.

[@evelyny7037]

Oops! I meant to say that it’s Cultured Food Life! ☺️

[@homeismyvacation]

If you know someone who uses Facebook perhaps someone has grains near you.

[@darlarousch6339]

I love the kefir Yogurt, but I ferment it for 36 hours. So it multiplies the bacteria greatly.

[@kem3456]

Could you use this to make homemade mayo?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Never years of using any kind of milk in mayo. The two main ingredients are fat and eggs plus spices

[@jemmiestone5731]

I have never had milk kefir. It sounds good. How does someone like me that lives in the city get some? God Bless.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I ordered my grains from amazon: amzn.to/2O0Wntl

[@suecollins3246]

It's amazing. Better than yogurt.

[@coretteburi6]

Where can I click to watch your presentation .. pls advise

[@RainCountryHomestead]

A little confused at your question. Are you asking about a specific video or all my content? All of my content is right here on the channel you made this comment on

[@leighleeds390]

We use our goat milk kefir in place of sour cream in potatoes, tacos, burritoes

[@alanandleahfleming2373]

Do you have a place where you have the recipes written up?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

some of them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6PWmIeYosSpq5I

[@userunknown3345]

do you make water Kefir and can you show how to make it.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I have a few videos on water kefir, here is one that is more perfect for this time of year: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpCnkol-d7tkZ7s

[@HarryHawk]

I use it to make bechamel sauce

[@rem3266]

Hi Heidi is the milk from Costco ultra pasteurized? I haven’t been able to find commercial organic milk that isn’t ultra and I have read not to use ultra. Is that true?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

It is ultra pasteurized but I have had no problems getting healthy kefir from it and my grains are staying very healthy too

[@SunnieDIY]

Not sure when it unsubscribed me but I found this video and though dang I havent seen one of her videos in a long time. No freaking wonder it unsubscribed me. I know I was busy there for a while but no reason for YT to boot me off subscription. Wonder who else it unsubscribed me from.... This is just the video I needed I ordered some kefir.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

It happens all the time to people on all channels. I have always thought it was a glitch but now I wonder since it has been going on for years yet has not been fixed.

[@nicholhall2441]

Could the kefir be ready sooner than 24 hrs if it is made in a hot and humid enviroment?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Very likely but sometimes it is not a bad idea to allow to sit longer if you want it thicker so it will really depend. You will know it is ready when it is thick and fizzy

[@amirprog]

Is it ok to make kefir with a regular metal spoon?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Only if it is stainless steel

[@lynnbishop9493]

Milk Kefir soft cheese is yummy

[@tigerdeer]

Doesn't the heat kill the bacteria?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

If you are talking about baking with it, of course. Remember, this is about the things you can use it for, not just about drinking it for gut health.

[@123STEP23]

Mine never gets thick .. it’s just like I poured milk in ., but it house is only 55-58 degrees. Can’t afford to turn heat up any more than that. So what can I do ? Even on top of fridge is only 60 degrees.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

It could be the type of milk. The more processed the milk, the longer it takes and does not get as thick and this is because the culture also works in tandem with the live cultures in milk so raw milk gets thick VERY quickly

[@jujuapple6706]

What size is your kefir making jar?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

This is an old video and I do not have time to go back and review it but I am going to assume it was a quart jar as that is often what I used

[@kimblock2021]

I read when you heat the kefir it can destroy the nutritional value. Is that true?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Yes, heating anything probiotic can kill the natural healthy bacteria. This does not mean you cannot still use it as a buttermilk replacement in biscuits and pancakes. This video was about the uses for it outside of just using as a healthy probiotic drink

[@ziv1153]

Any idea why my kifer grains make the best kefir but dont grow?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Type of milk used can be problematic. Raw or regular pasteurized is fine but ultra pasteurized can be too stripped of everything to allow the grains to grow

[@ziv1153]

I actually do use ultra pasteurized milk (its the standard in my country). I will look for regular pasturize. Thank you!

[@emsdiy6857]

I heard that organic milk is not good for milk kefir from The kefir Queen Donna schwank because it's pasteurized twice I believe it's other things that aren't so good about it

[@RainCountryHomestead]

There is such thing as organic raw milk. Yes, the milk I had to use as it is all that is available to us is pasteurized but it always works.

[@emsdiy6857]

@@RainCountryHomestead ok good just thought I'd mention it.😊

[@susantaylor8507]

I heard not to use ultra pasteurize milk

[@RainCountryHomestead]

You can but the grains will thrive better if given raw milk or at least a less pasteurized milk from time to time

[@ceciliafuentes3299]

I never tried milk kefir. I will try it.

[@rbsamar]

❤️❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍👍

[@blackglama1]

Hi . I felt on making my own kefir . Don’t know what I did wrong . I left it for 24, but after I checked and it was biter. Yuck 🤮

[@Neptunecloud]

The correct pronunciation is Ke-feer not Keefir as it's middle-Eastern in origin,then the grains were taken to Russia.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Yes, and if you listen to me long enough you will hear me pronounce it BOTH ways. I have heard people who have a business making and selling fresh kefir that pronounce the Americanized way.

[@userunknown3345]

why do you eat just lunch

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I go back and forth from eating dinner and not and sometimes have breakfast but most of the time I skip breakfast. I will talk about it in another video

[@kerrimullis3136]

For some reason-mine Smells like yeast -I’m Unsure

[@marynathan3991]

Baking will kill the key benefits of lifer like enzymes and bacterias, isn't it?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Yes, of course but the point of this video was to share other ways the milk kefir can be used instead of just consuming raw. The same happens with buttermilk, which is also cultured.

[@marynathan3991]

@@RainCountryHomestead sure, it's helpful specially when you have excess. Thank you. My son doesn't like kefir by itself so I am also looking for ways to use it in a way that will help retain the bacterias and enzymes.

[@tonimitchell9930]

Thanks for all the information. I didn't know what kefir was and had to look it up. I see all the video's of people using or talking about kefir but not explaining what is was. You explained it all very well.........and now I know how to use it. Thanks for the information.

[@shawnmarie6223]

Donna Schwenk is the queen of kefir and explains so much about the probiotics etc. I highly encourage her videos!