I have collected these off the net. I haven't tried them all yet
Spectacular Kefir Drink
1 cup Kefir (Plain or Vanilla)
1 tsp. of unrefined flax seed oil
Lecithin, which aids fat digestion, to taste
Fiber, such as Nutri-Flax or fresh ground flax seeds
Natural flavorings or herbs such as stevia, nutmeg, cinnamon, non-alcoholic vanilla or natural fruit flavoring
Fresh or frozen organic fruit of choice
Blend together for a delicious, nutritious breakfast, lunch, or snack and enjoy!
Iced Chai
1/4 cup favorite liquid Chai, refrigerated
3/4 cup Plain or Vanilla Kefir, depending on desired sweetness
Stir together, or place together in a shake-cup and shake. Play around with relative amounts of the beverages to get flavor, texture and sweetness to your liking. Enjoy as is, or over ice. 1 serving
Creamsicle Kefir Drink
1/4 cup Orange Juice
3/4 cup Vanilla Kefir
Stir together, or place together in a shake-cup and shake. Play around with relative amounts of the beverages to get flavor, texture and sweetness to your liking. If you lean toward a less sweet/more invigorating taste bud, this recipe is delicious when made with Plain kefir instead of Vanilla. Enjoy as is, or over ice. 1 serving
Sunrise Latte
Here is a creative way to eat your vegetables! You can juice your own, or purchase fresh or frozen carrot juice for the recipe.
1/4 cup Fresh Carrot Juice
3/4 cup Vanilla Kefir
Stir together, or place together in a shake-cup and shake. Play around with relative amounts of the beverages to get flavor, texture and sweetness to your liking. Enjoy as is, with a dash of nutmeg, or over ice. 1 serving
Purple Kefir Cow
Did you know that Concord grape juice has been shown to help lower systolic blood pressure in men with high blood pressure?
If you prefer a drink that's sweeter and more like a milkshake:
1 Tbsp frozen 100% Grape Juice Concentrate
1 cup Vanilla Kefir
OR
If you prefer a drink that's a little bit tart and has a thinner consistency:
1/4 cup 100% Grape Juice (not the concentrate, but the juice)
3/4 cup Plain Kefir
Using the recipe you prefer, stir the two ingredients together or place together in a shake-cup and shake. Enjoy as is, or over ice.
Dreamy Sweet Creamy
If you aren't familiar with Organic Sucanat (Rapadura), you're in for a treat. Organic Sucanat is organic sugar cane that is harvested by squeezing out the juice. The juice is filtered and evaporated to remove excess water, then crystallized. The result is a natural sugar crystal that has a gentle molasses flavor and maintains vitamins and minerals of the original plant.
1 cup Plain Kefir
2 tsp Organic Sucanat (Rapadura)
Stir together, let stand for 5 minutes, and stir again (time can vary depending on whether you enjoy the burst of flavor from sucanat specks or prefer that they dissolve completely before drinking. Enjoy as is!
Maple Cream
Easy to mix and a lovely maple flavor – this is a great way to sweeten Plain kefir!
1 cup Plain Kefir
1 Tbsp Pure Maple syrup
Stir together, or place together in a shake-cup and shake. Play around with relative amounts of the beverages to get flavor, texture and sweetness to your liking. Enjoy as is, or over ice.
Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
Another great way to enjoy your vegetables, pumpkin is rich in Vitamin A! Kids and adults love this one!
1 cup Vanilla Kefir
2 TBSP Organic pureed pumpkin
Pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg
Blend ingredients together and enjoy as is or with a dash of cinnamon-sugar sprinkled on top.
Cranberry Jazz Smoothie
Antioxidants abound in this tangy smoothie! Refreshing, invigorating and darned healthy too!
1 cup frozen cranberries
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
Juice of one small lemon
1 cup cranberry juice
2 cups Vanilla Kefir
Blend the frozen fruit and juices together until fruit is pureed smooth. Add Vanilla kefir, blending enough to stir in completely. Serve as is and enjoy. Serves 4
Favorite Breakfast Smoothie
1 cup Kefir
1/2 cup frozen fruit (strawberries, peaches, raspberries, cherries or blueberries work well)
1/2 banana
6 ice cubes
Puree ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour and enjoy! Serves 1
Watermelon Smoothie
Particularly great on a warm summer morning or for a summer afternoon cooler.
3 cups watermelon chunks, seedless
2 cups Kefir
3/4 cup Ruby Red Orange Juice
Puree watermelon in blender until smooth. Add juice and Kefir, blending enough to stir in completely. Serve as is or over ice and enjoy! Serves 4
Apple Pie Smoothie
This recipe makes a great after-school treat!
1/4 cup Frozen or chilled Unsweetened Applesauce
3/4 cup Vanilla Kefir
Blend together, and serve with a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg. If the applesauce is very fine, this recipe can just be stirred. Serves 1
Tropical Smoothie
1/2 cup crushed pineapple with juice, chilled
1 banana, frozen and sliced into chunks
1/2 cup coconut milk, frozen in an ice cube tray
2 cups Vanilla Kefir
Puree fruit and coconut ingredients together in a blender until smooth. Add Vanilla kefir, blending enough to mix in completely. Serve as is and enjoy. Serves 3
Chocolate Kefir
Wonder why you can’t buy chocolate Kefir? The answer is the process would require pasteurization of the chocolate, which affects its flavor. A far better way to enjoy Chocolate kefir is to make it yourself – that way you can find the taste that's just right for you! Good dark chocolate is getting great press these days for its antioxidant content. Not only food for the soul, but nourishment for the body as well! Two chocolate recipes follow, depending on whether you prefer Chocolate Syrup or Hot Chocolate Powder.
1 Tbsp Chocolate Syrup
1 cup Vanilla Kefir
Stir together and enjoy!
Cocoa Kefir
1 Tbsp of your favorite HOT CHOCOLATE POWDER*
1 cup Vanilla Kefir
Whisk ingredients together, or place together in a shake-cup and shake. To develop a richer flavor, let the mixture stand at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before drinking, then stir and enjoy!
*Ghirardelli Double Chocolate cocoa mix is rich and chocolaty, not very sweet, and made to be mixed into milk (so it don't contain milk powder).
‘Pump You Up’ Protein Smoothie
1 cup Kefir
1/4 cup water, milk or juice
1 scoop favorite protein powder, whey or soy
Place ingredients in a shake-cup and shake vigorously. If you prefer more of a smoothie, go ahead and blend the powder, kefir, liquid and some fresh fruit in the blender. Creativity is the name of the game here!
Kefir ‘n Flax
For the Plain kefir purist, there is possibly nothing more delicious than the combination of Plain Kefir and freshly ground flaxseed! It's not sweet, but it's quite a treat and flax adds insoluble dietary fiber, lignans and vegetable omega-3 essential fatty acids.
1Tbsp finely ground Organic Flaxseed
1 cup Kefir
Stir together, or place together in a shake-cup and shake. Let stand at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before drinking. The flax absorbs some of the liquid from the kefir, and imparts a wonderful nutty flavor to the drink.
Kefir Banana Smoothie
1 cup Kefir
1 ripe banana
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon honey
If you have blender, combine ingredients in a blender
and process until no further lumps are noticeable.
Serve chilled or at room temperature.
For a real treat, add whipped cream
and nuts for decoration.
Kefir Nog
1 cup Kefir or Vanilla Kefir
1 organic egg
pinch nutmeg
two pinches cinnamon
1 Tbs Rapadura or white sugar (to taste)
Blend and top with more fresh ground nutmeg. Enjoy! Feeling really decadent…top with whipped cream.
Enjoy, and yes, I typed all these up, after searching, experimenting and asking around...Enjoy!
__________________________
Kefir Yeast Bread
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is the softest, yummiest bread. It keeps well on just the countertop wrapped in a plastic bag or tinfoil. It slices great and makes really good sandwiches:
Kefir Yeast Bread (compared to Buttermilk Yeast Bread)
4 cups unbleached all purpose flour
2 cups Kefir
2 cups whey or warm water
1 packet of quick dissolve yeast (SAF Instant)
1 tsp Rapadura sugar or regular sugar
Mix in large glass or porcelin bowl with wooden spoon. Cover top of bowl with cling wrap or a clean dish towel. Set in your oven and turn on the light. Leave until it bubbles, about 1-3 hours and the yeast and Kefir has a chance to activate.
Melt 1 stick of butter in small saucepan, cool. Remove bowl from oven, and add 1 Tbs sea salt. Stir with wood spoon. Pour almost all the butter into the dough (I pour in a corner, so if the butter is too hot, it won't kill the yeasts, except maybe in the small corner). I stir slowly and gradually then quicker until all is incorporated, the butter.
Start adding, one cup at a time, more unbleached all purpose flour. At 4 cups, it's thick enough to handle. I sprinkle about 1-2 cups more onto a clean counter top, and scrape dough onto top of this 'bench flour'. I gently fold and turn the dough, until the counter top flour coats it...I gently knead this dough to absorb most of the flour, until it's just managable and not too sticky. I shape into a ball, and let it rest while I clean up, 5-10 minutes.
Cut dough in to 4 portions. I lightly oil and sprinkle corn meal on two baking sheets. I shape each portion into a 'log' and place 2 logs side by side on each sheet, with some space in between. I cover them with a clean dish cloth and set in the oven again for about 30-40 minutes. I remove them from oven and preheat to 400 deg F. I brush the remainder of the butter gently over the tops of the loaves. I can fit both sheets into my oven, by placing one low, and the other shelf upper mid way. I rotate them at the half way baking point, and brush more butter if there is any left. Bake for ~28 minutes (adjust for your oven and altitude.)
If you cover the fresh baked loaves with a soft, clean cloth once baked, the crust is softer and more like store bought (good for kids). Use a serrated knife for slicing.
__________________________
Irish 'Kefir' Soda Bread
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the about the quickest bread you can make as it is not leavened. It is traditionally made with buttermilk, however it works just as well with kefir.
Ingredients
2 ½ cups whole grain flour
1 cup unbleached, all purpose flour
½ cup rolled oats
½ stick butter or virgin coconut oil
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of salt
13 fluid ounces of kefir, buttermilk or yoghurt
Oven at 220ºC or 425º F
Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Rub or pinch in the fat with your finger tips until it is broken into small bits and coated with flour. Slowly add the kefir or whatever you are using until a nice kneading consistency is achieved, without actually kneading it. (Just ‘squish’ it with your clean hand) If you over do it, then add more oats or flour. You must not knead this dough. (Think biscuit dough)
Quickly make two round loaves. Put them on an oiled oven tray and with the back of a long knife mark lines across. Traditionally Irish soda bread has four sections. You may wish to sub divide each section again, for easier ‘pull apart’ portions. This way you can just break away the small portions thus avoiding the use of a knife.
Bake in a very hot oven for 20 to 30 min until ready.
Tips: Add fresh herbs such as thyme or sage, grated cheese, onions, etc. And of course the flours can be changed around too; try a bit of barley flour for a nice flavour change.
For a sweet version add dried fruits or nuts, chocolate bits, etc.
__________________________
Kefir Cornbread
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is not a yeast bread so it will take at the most about 45 min to make. I use kefir instead of the buttermilk.
Ingredients
2 cups corn meal
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon brown sugar (or Rapadura)
1 large beaten egg
1 tablespoon oil (Olive, Coconut, etc)
2 cups kefir (or buttermilk or yogurt)
Oven at 220ºC or 425º F
In a large bowl mix together all the dry ingredients. You can do this in advance to save time. Combine the wet ingredients in a separate bowl and add to the dry ones; if you like, it can even take a bit more beaten egg or oil thus making it more nutritious. In any case it will be fairly runny. Turn into an oiled baking dish put it on the top shelf of the preheated oven. It will take about 20 minutes and will look nicely puffed and golden. If you test it with skewer it will come dry when ready. Serve while hot and traditionally it is cut into squares.
Freshly baked corned bread is very good indeed. It goes very well with baked beans and also some roasted meats like chicken. Any left overs are delicious toasted and buttered.
You can bake this mixture directly on top of baked beans or any juicy casserole.
__________________________
Kefir 'Naan' or Flat Bread
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This bread was inspired by ‘naan’ bread. This recipe uses Kefir as the only source of leavening.
Ingredients
1 3/4 cup unbleached all purpose flour
about 3/4 cup kefir
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon clarified butter (ghee) or butter or virgin coconut oil
Oven at 220ºC / 425º F
The day before add enough kefir to your flour and salt in order to make a nice kneading bread dough. Do not forget the salt! Knead until the dough is elastic and smooth. Place in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Leave overnight in a warm place.
Next day, when the dough is well risen and before it collapses, knock it down and divide into little lumps. I usually made 16 little ones, but you can make bigger ones if you like. Stretch them out by hand so that the dough is about 1/2 cm (1/4 inch) thick. Place on a well oiled sheet pan dusted with corn meal, cover with oiled plastic wrap and leave in a warm place for about half an hour or until risen. Before baking, gently brush the tops with the melted fat of your choice as this gives the bread an extra nice touch. Bake for about 5 to 8 minutes or until they have coloured a bit. Watch out that they don't get toasted, this bread should be soft. Serve at once or keep wrapped in a cloth until needed.
These little flat buns don't keep that well. However you can revive them, by sprinkling with water and placing them in a hot oven or grill, just for a few minutes. You can, before baking, sprinkle the buttered tops with poppy or ground cumin seeds. Or even with some garlicky herb butter. Delicious!
You can also used this kefir dough as a pizza base. For that just make enough dough the day before for your usual size pizza. As a rough guide for each cup of flour you need a third of a cup of kefir. If you haven't got enough kefir to spare, top it up with water.
Spectacular Kefir Drink
1 cup Kefir (Plain or Vanilla)
1 tsp. of unrefined flax seed oil
Lecithin, which aids fat digestion, to taste
Fiber, such as Nutri-Flax or fresh ground flax seeds
Natural flavorings or herbs such as stevia, nutmeg, cinnamon, non-alcoholic vanilla or natural fruit flavoring
Fresh or frozen organic fruit of choice
Blend together for a delicious, nutritious breakfast, lunch, or snack and enjoy!
Iced Chai
1/4 cup favorite liquid Chai, refrigerated
3/4 cup Plain or Vanilla Kefir, depending on desired sweetness
Stir together, or place together in a shake-cup and shake. Play around with relative amounts of the beverages to get flavor, texture and sweetness to your liking. Enjoy as is, or over ice. 1 serving
Creamsicle Kefir Drink
1/4 cup Orange Juice
3/4 cup Vanilla Kefir
Stir together, or place together in a shake-cup and shake. Play around with relative amounts of the beverages to get flavor, texture and sweetness to your liking. If you lean toward a less sweet/more invigorating taste bud, this recipe is delicious when made with Plain kefir instead of Vanilla. Enjoy as is, or over ice. 1 serving
Sunrise Latte
Here is a creative way to eat your vegetables! You can juice your own, or purchase fresh or frozen carrot juice for the recipe.
1/4 cup Fresh Carrot Juice
3/4 cup Vanilla Kefir
Stir together, or place together in a shake-cup and shake. Play around with relative amounts of the beverages to get flavor, texture and sweetness to your liking. Enjoy as is, with a dash of nutmeg, or over ice. 1 serving
Purple Kefir Cow
Did you know that Concord grape juice has been shown to help lower systolic blood pressure in men with high blood pressure?
If you prefer a drink that's sweeter and more like a milkshake:
1 Tbsp frozen 100% Grape Juice Concentrate
1 cup Vanilla Kefir
OR
If you prefer a drink that's a little bit tart and has a thinner consistency:
1/4 cup 100% Grape Juice (not the concentrate, but the juice)
3/4 cup Plain Kefir
Using the recipe you prefer, stir the two ingredients together or place together in a shake-cup and shake. Enjoy as is, or over ice.
Dreamy Sweet Creamy
If you aren't familiar with Organic Sucanat (Rapadura), you're in for a treat. Organic Sucanat is organic sugar cane that is harvested by squeezing out the juice. The juice is filtered and evaporated to remove excess water, then crystallized. The result is a natural sugar crystal that has a gentle molasses flavor and maintains vitamins and minerals of the original plant.
1 cup Plain Kefir
2 tsp Organic Sucanat (Rapadura)
Stir together, let stand for 5 minutes, and stir again (time can vary depending on whether you enjoy the burst of flavor from sucanat specks or prefer that they dissolve completely before drinking. Enjoy as is!
Maple Cream
Easy to mix and a lovely maple flavor – this is a great way to sweeten Plain kefir!
1 cup Plain Kefir
1 Tbsp Pure Maple syrup
Stir together, or place together in a shake-cup and shake. Play around with relative amounts of the beverages to get flavor, texture and sweetness to your liking. Enjoy as is, or over ice.
Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
Another great way to enjoy your vegetables, pumpkin is rich in Vitamin A! Kids and adults love this one!
1 cup Vanilla Kefir
2 TBSP Organic pureed pumpkin
Pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg
Blend ingredients together and enjoy as is or with a dash of cinnamon-sugar sprinkled on top.
Cranberry Jazz Smoothie
Antioxidants abound in this tangy smoothie! Refreshing, invigorating and darned healthy too!
1 cup frozen cranberries
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
Juice of one small lemon
1 cup cranberry juice
2 cups Vanilla Kefir
Blend the frozen fruit and juices together until fruit is pureed smooth. Add Vanilla kefir, blending enough to stir in completely. Serve as is and enjoy. Serves 4
Favorite Breakfast Smoothie
1 cup Kefir
1/2 cup frozen fruit (strawberries, peaches, raspberries, cherries or blueberries work well)
1/2 banana
6 ice cubes
Puree ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour and enjoy! Serves 1
Watermelon Smoothie
Particularly great on a warm summer morning or for a summer afternoon cooler.
3 cups watermelon chunks, seedless
2 cups Kefir
3/4 cup Ruby Red Orange Juice
Puree watermelon in blender until smooth. Add juice and Kefir, blending enough to stir in completely. Serve as is or over ice and enjoy! Serves 4
Apple Pie Smoothie
This recipe makes a great after-school treat!
1/4 cup Frozen or chilled Unsweetened Applesauce
3/4 cup Vanilla Kefir
Blend together, and serve with a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg. If the applesauce is very fine, this recipe can just be stirred. Serves 1
Tropical Smoothie
1/2 cup crushed pineapple with juice, chilled
1 banana, frozen and sliced into chunks
1/2 cup coconut milk, frozen in an ice cube tray
2 cups Vanilla Kefir
Puree fruit and coconut ingredients together in a blender until smooth. Add Vanilla kefir, blending enough to mix in completely. Serve as is and enjoy. Serves 3
Chocolate Kefir
Wonder why you can’t buy chocolate Kefir? The answer is the process would require pasteurization of the chocolate, which affects its flavor. A far better way to enjoy Chocolate kefir is to make it yourself – that way you can find the taste that's just right for you! Good dark chocolate is getting great press these days for its antioxidant content. Not only food for the soul, but nourishment for the body as well! Two chocolate recipes follow, depending on whether you prefer Chocolate Syrup or Hot Chocolate Powder.
1 Tbsp Chocolate Syrup
1 cup Vanilla Kefir
Stir together and enjoy!
Cocoa Kefir
1 Tbsp of your favorite HOT CHOCOLATE POWDER*
1 cup Vanilla Kefir
Whisk ingredients together, or place together in a shake-cup and shake. To develop a richer flavor, let the mixture stand at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before drinking, then stir and enjoy!
*Ghirardelli Double Chocolate cocoa mix is rich and chocolaty, not very sweet, and made to be mixed into milk (so it don't contain milk powder).
‘Pump You Up’ Protein Smoothie
1 cup Kefir
1/4 cup water, milk or juice
1 scoop favorite protein powder, whey or soy
Place ingredients in a shake-cup and shake vigorously. If you prefer more of a smoothie, go ahead and blend the powder, kefir, liquid and some fresh fruit in the blender. Creativity is the name of the game here!
Kefir ‘n Flax
For the Plain kefir purist, there is possibly nothing more delicious than the combination of Plain Kefir and freshly ground flaxseed! It's not sweet, but it's quite a treat and flax adds insoluble dietary fiber, lignans and vegetable omega-3 essential fatty acids.
1Tbsp finely ground Organic Flaxseed
1 cup Kefir
Stir together, or place together in a shake-cup and shake. Let stand at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before drinking. The flax absorbs some of the liquid from the kefir, and imparts a wonderful nutty flavor to the drink.
Kefir Banana Smoothie
1 cup Kefir
1 ripe banana
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon honey
If you have blender, combine ingredients in a blender
and process until no further lumps are noticeable.
Serve chilled or at room temperature.
For a real treat, add whipped cream
and nuts for decoration.
Kefir Nog
1 cup Kefir or Vanilla Kefir
1 organic egg
pinch nutmeg
two pinches cinnamon
1 Tbs Rapadura or white sugar (to taste)
Blend and top with more fresh ground nutmeg. Enjoy! Feeling really decadent…top with whipped cream.
Enjoy, and yes, I typed all these up, after searching, experimenting and asking around...Enjoy!
__________________________
Kefir Yeast Bread
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is the softest, yummiest bread. It keeps well on just the countertop wrapped in a plastic bag or tinfoil. It slices great and makes really good sandwiches:
Kefir Yeast Bread (compared to Buttermilk Yeast Bread)
4 cups unbleached all purpose flour
2 cups Kefir
2 cups whey or warm water
1 packet of quick dissolve yeast (SAF Instant)
1 tsp Rapadura sugar or regular sugar
Mix in large glass or porcelin bowl with wooden spoon. Cover top of bowl with cling wrap or a clean dish towel. Set in your oven and turn on the light. Leave until it bubbles, about 1-3 hours and the yeast and Kefir has a chance to activate.
Melt 1 stick of butter in small saucepan, cool. Remove bowl from oven, and add 1 Tbs sea salt. Stir with wood spoon. Pour almost all the butter into the dough (I pour in a corner, so if the butter is too hot, it won't kill the yeasts, except maybe in the small corner). I stir slowly and gradually then quicker until all is incorporated, the butter.
Start adding, one cup at a time, more unbleached all purpose flour. At 4 cups, it's thick enough to handle. I sprinkle about 1-2 cups more onto a clean counter top, and scrape dough onto top of this 'bench flour'. I gently fold and turn the dough, until the counter top flour coats it...I gently knead this dough to absorb most of the flour, until it's just managable and not too sticky. I shape into a ball, and let it rest while I clean up, 5-10 minutes.
Cut dough in to 4 portions. I lightly oil and sprinkle corn meal on two baking sheets. I shape each portion into a 'log' and place 2 logs side by side on each sheet, with some space in between. I cover them with a clean dish cloth and set in the oven again for about 30-40 minutes. I remove them from oven and preheat to 400 deg F. I brush the remainder of the butter gently over the tops of the loaves. I can fit both sheets into my oven, by placing one low, and the other shelf upper mid way. I rotate them at the half way baking point, and brush more butter if there is any left. Bake for ~28 minutes (adjust for your oven and altitude.)
If you cover the fresh baked loaves with a soft, clean cloth once baked, the crust is softer and more like store bought (good for kids). Use a serrated knife for slicing.
__________________________
Irish 'Kefir' Soda Bread
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the about the quickest bread you can make as it is not leavened. It is traditionally made with buttermilk, however it works just as well with kefir.
Ingredients
2 ½ cups whole grain flour
1 cup unbleached, all purpose flour
½ cup rolled oats
½ stick butter or virgin coconut oil
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of salt
13 fluid ounces of kefir, buttermilk or yoghurt
Oven at 220ºC or 425º F
Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Rub or pinch in the fat with your finger tips until it is broken into small bits and coated with flour. Slowly add the kefir or whatever you are using until a nice kneading consistency is achieved, without actually kneading it. (Just ‘squish’ it with your clean hand) If you over do it, then add more oats or flour. You must not knead this dough. (Think biscuit dough)
Quickly make two round loaves. Put them on an oiled oven tray and with the back of a long knife mark lines across. Traditionally Irish soda bread has four sections. You may wish to sub divide each section again, for easier ‘pull apart’ portions. This way you can just break away the small portions thus avoiding the use of a knife.
Bake in a very hot oven for 20 to 30 min until ready.
Tips: Add fresh herbs such as thyme or sage, grated cheese, onions, etc. And of course the flours can be changed around too; try a bit of barley flour for a nice flavour change.
For a sweet version add dried fruits or nuts, chocolate bits, etc.
__________________________
Kefir Cornbread
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is not a yeast bread so it will take at the most about 45 min to make. I use kefir instead of the buttermilk.
Ingredients
2 cups corn meal
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon brown sugar (or Rapadura)
1 large beaten egg
1 tablespoon oil (Olive, Coconut, etc)
2 cups kefir (or buttermilk or yogurt)
Oven at 220ºC or 425º F
In a large bowl mix together all the dry ingredients. You can do this in advance to save time. Combine the wet ingredients in a separate bowl and add to the dry ones; if you like, it can even take a bit more beaten egg or oil thus making it more nutritious. In any case it will be fairly runny. Turn into an oiled baking dish put it on the top shelf of the preheated oven. It will take about 20 minutes and will look nicely puffed and golden. If you test it with skewer it will come dry when ready. Serve while hot and traditionally it is cut into squares.
Freshly baked corned bread is very good indeed. It goes very well with baked beans and also some roasted meats like chicken. Any left overs are delicious toasted and buttered.
You can bake this mixture directly on top of baked beans or any juicy casserole.
__________________________
Kefir 'Naan' or Flat Bread
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This bread was inspired by ‘naan’ bread. This recipe uses Kefir as the only source of leavening.
Ingredients
1 3/4 cup unbleached all purpose flour
about 3/4 cup kefir
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon clarified butter (ghee) or butter or virgin coconut oil
Oven at 220ºC / 425º F
The day before add enough kefir to your flour and salt in order to make a nice kneading bread dough. Do not forget the salt! Knead until the dough is elastic and smooth. Place in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Leave overnight in a warm place.
Next day, when the dough is well risen and before it collapses, knock it down and divide into little lumps. I usually made 16 little ones, but you can make bigger ones if you like. Stretch them out by hand so that the dough is about 1/2 cm (1/4 inch) thick. Place on a well oiled sheet pan dusted with corn meal, cover with oiled plastic wrap and leave in a warm place for about half an hour or until risen. Before baking, gently brush the tops with the melted fat of your choice as this gives the bread an extra nice touch. Bake for about 5 to 8 minutes or until they have coloured a bit. Watch out that they don't get toasted, this bread should be soft. Serve at once or keep wrapped in a cloth until needed.
These little flat buns don't keep that well. However you can revive them, by sprinkling with water and placing them in a hot oven or grill, just for a few minutes. You can, before baking, sprinkle the buttered tops with poppy or ground cumin seeds. Or even with some garlicky herb butter. Delicious!
You can also used this kefir dough as a pizza base. For that just make enough dough the day before for your usual size pizza. As a rough guide for each cup of flour you need a third of a cup of kefir. If you haven't got enough kefir to spare, top it up with water.