by Malia Kirby L.Ac.
Just the other day, we received a message from a couple of our friends, letting us know that their kitchen was in critical danger of being taken over by kefir grains. Being that we’re into those kinds of kitchen pets—you know, sourdough starters, homemade sauerkraut, pickles, kimchi, and other things that will occasionally belch like a frat boy at a kegger—we jumped at the opportunity like a Jack Russell Terrier on methamphetamines.
So, as of yesterday afternoon, Hubbs and I are now the proud parents of a kefir culture. Right about now, I’m sure it is happily fermenting away on our kitchen countertop, and I can’t even tell you how excited I am to start using it in our breakfast grains, muffins, smoothies, assorted breads, cakes…you name it. We have another day or two before we’re really going to hit that tangy-sour note, but oh boy oh boy oh boy, I can hardly contain myself.
Am I just going to drink it? Yup. Probably by itself, unflavored and unsweetened, as well as blended with fruit and maybe even a little protein powder and spices, but let’s get down to what I’m going to do with it first, and that’s pair it with some homemade floral-fruity museli, the recipe for which follows from here.
Lychee, Raspberry, and Rose Museli with Pistachios and Kefir
1 c rolled oats
¼ c coconut, shredded
1 c plain kefir
1 T rose water
1 T lychee juice
1 T honey, plus more for drizzling
½ c fresh raspberries
¼ c fresh lychees, peeled & pitted
¼ c roasted & unsalted pistachios, chopped
Dried organic food-grade rose petals (optional, for garnish)
Place the rolled oats and coconut in a small container (with an airtight lid), stirring to combine. Stir the kefir, rose water, lychee juice, and honey together, then stir into the oat mixture. Cover with the lid and refrigerate overnight.
Remove from the refrigerator, transfer to a serving bowl, adding the raspberries and lychees. Sprinkle with the chopped pistachios and garnish with the dried rose petals, if using. Serve immediately with additional honey for drizzling, if desired.
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