Kefir Biscuits
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup each old-fashioned oats, ground flaxseed, natural wheat bran, and sesame seeds
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 Tablespoon granulated (white) sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup kefir milk
Preheat oven to 425◦F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place on top of another cookie sheet in order to prevent bottoms from becoming too brown.
In a large bowl, stir together all ingredients except the kefir. Add in the kefir. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet, a large ice cream scoop works really well for this. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden.
This is my latest creation using kefir. Kefir is just like using yogurt or buttermilk in these biscuits- it adds a little flavor and makes the biscuits moist. It also keeps the biscuits from being too heavy, even though they contain a good amount of hearty whole grains.
Here are two other kefir creations: {Kefir Smoothie} and {Kefir Oatmeal}.
This is yet another overnight oatmeal. I completely made this one myself, and I basically took everything (well, not everything, but the best things) from the last three overnight oatmeal recipes and put it into this one to make one big, hearty, flavorful, and delicious bowl of cereal. It also has kefir - which I mentioned the benefits of in my kefir smoothie post from two days ago. This is the first time I tried heating up the cereal as well, usually I just eat it cold. But I wasn't going for that with fresh snow on the ground. Since it is coming from a cold fridge, it does take awhile to heat, about three minutes. This could be sped up a little if you transfer the cereal to another bowl, so it won't be cold from the fridge.
Overnight Kefir Oatmeal
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
1 Tablespoon oat bran
1 Tablespoon ground flaxseed
1 Tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut
1 Tablespoon chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup frozen blueberries
1 Tablespoon raisins
1 Tablespoon almond butter
1/4 cup kefir milk
1/2 cup water
In a medium jar or a bowl with a lid, place the first eight dry ingredients and shake to mix. Add in the almond butter, kefir, and water, and stir in. Place in the refrigerator overnight and enjoy in the morning cold or heated.
The other three overnight oatmeal recipes can be found here: {Overnight Almond Oatmeal}, {Overnight Apple Spice Oatmeal}, {Overnight Blueberry Oatmeal}.
Recently I tried kefir for the first time. Kefir is a fermented milk drink that is very rich in probiotics - even more so than yogurt, so it is a useful aid in digestion. I tired plain kefir, and would describe it as some sort of cross between buttermilk and plain Greek yogurt. It is certainly tangy, and very thick - drinkable, but almost a yogurt consistency. It can be consumed as is, though it lacks a little in the flavor compartment, but flavored varieties are available. It can also be used in most baked goods in place of yogurt, sour cream, buttermilk, and sometimes regular milk. However, where it really shines is in smoothies. It can take the place of milk, yogurt, ice cream, or all of the above, and produces a cold, creamy, and very thick smoothie. Also when blended into a smoothie, you can add any flavors you like and make the kefir taste much better! Here is a simple recipe I came up with myself, that I enjoyed since it contains a few of my favorite foods and gives a good boost of protein. It is also my favorite color! Try some kefir in your next smoothie!
Purple Keifr Smoothie
3/4 cup kefir
1/3 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 Tablespoon ground flaxseed
1 Tablespoon almond butter
1 Tablespoon honey or maple syrup
*Optional: For a "green" smoothie, that is actually purple, throw in a handful of leafy greens for an added nutritional bonus.
Blend all together until smooth. Makes about one serving, but measurements are approximate and can be played with.
