Kefir making as alternative to yoghurt making.

zebedy

Hi,
I've just read the whole of this thread (rather an extended lunch hour - oops!) with great interest and am thinking of going on the torontoadvisers site or the yahoo site to request some grains.
Before I do that though I wanted to ask a question. I don't want a keffir drink but would like it a bit thicker to use instead of yoghurt (if I drink something my brain doesn't think of it as food and I still get hungry but if i eat it with a spoon it fools my silly brain and I get full).
Is it possible (eventually) to get it to a yoghurt-ish consistency and any tips for doing this? (not set yoghurt, just normal)
I'd like to do it with skimmed milk for dieting rather than full fat if possible but would be willing to start it off in full fat.

DenBo_4

zebedy wrote: »

Hi,
I've just read the whole of this thread (rather an extended lunch hour - oops!) with great interest and am thinking of going on the torontoadvisers site or the yahoo site to request some grains.
Before I do that though I wanted to ask a question. I don't want a keffir drink but would like it a bit thicker to use instead of yoghurt (if I drink something my brain doesn't think of it as food and I still get hungry but if i eat it with a spoon it fools my silly brain and I get full).
Is it possible (eventually) to get it to a yoghurt-ish consistency and any tips for doing this? (not set yoghurt, just normal)
I'd like to do it with skimmed milk for dieting rather than full fat if possible but would be willing to start it off in full fat.

As a new kefir maker I'm not sure how to make it thicker, but the smoothie I made yesterday was so thick it could have been eaten with a spoon! It was really nice, much thicker than usual so I am going to try and do it again today, just use a lot of fruit and make sure you use really cold kefir, and eat it straight away.

zebedy

Hi,

I really want to start making kefir but can't get hold of any grains. I've joined the yahoo group and there's nobody on the database in my area (Hertfordshire) so I posted a message but no response. I've tried about 3 people on the database who send it out for a small paypal fee but have had no response and some email addresses have changed as they won't go through. Is there any one out there who has some grains they can send me. I'm happy to pay a small amount via paypal to cover post and packing.

I just want to get started
many thanks
Zebedy

npsmama

Found this site, really straight forward kefir info: hxxp://www.seedsofhealth.co.uk/fermenting/kefir_howto.shtml

foreign_correspondent

Hi, well, just looked on here for Kefir info and there is loads! today I got an email from a friend in Lithuania sending me a recipe I asked him for, for Lithuanian cold beetroot soup - he made it for us when we were both living in the netherlands!
It's very good and almost like a creamy beetroot salad really, because its thick and served chilled, alongside hot boiled potatoes. One of the main ingredients is Kefir, but apparently plain yogurt is ok too.
Do any health food shops sell either ready made Kefir or the Kefir grains? If not it may be the start of a new quest for me!

Lotus-eater

Just bumping this up as I've just discovered something about kefir. We keep some spare grains in the fridge in a jar, seems to stay ok for ages.
Anyway this morning I was taking the kefir off the spare grains and smelt it. We had branston pickle flavoured kefir it had been next to it in the fridge. The lid had been on both.

So now you know.

Princess_Jane

finally got my paws on some grains.

mixed them in moo milk and left them for 24 hours at room temp them 24 hours in the fridge, as per instructions.

Strained the grains out today and tried some with some chocolate Crusha.

It was quite sharp and sour.

I guess now I have to add more milk and start again.

what is the best way of making the kefir thicker and creamier?

Lotus-eater

The way we have evolved into doing it, is to leave it out of the fridge for round about a day, then just leave it in the fridge till we need it, the longer you leave it, the thicker it will be. We've left it for weeks and it still fine.
Mix it with a spoonful of jam, or berries. Or I like it by itself.

Princess_Jane

I had some tonight with strawberry Crusha and it was much nicer.

Now I want to see the health results, lol..what should I expect and when?

*bounces impatiently*

Beccatje

I'm bringing this tread back up again.
I have just been given kefir last week and I love it!!

I added a whole litre of milk and left it to sit for 24 hours. then drained it through a cloth and left that hanging for another few hours and it came out as a lovely quark.

I totally love the stuff, and think more people should know of it.

So how did the OP get on then? Still going?