This month for Recipe Redux, the theme was to make something fermented!
I may be the queen (bee) of fermented foods! Yogurt, more yogurt, kefir, fermented veggies, kombucha ….. it really is a lot of fun!
I have had the book “Nourishing Traditions” by Sally Fallon for a long time, and never really have dove into it. I just flipped through it to see if there were any ideas for fermented foods, and oh boy, I need to read more of it! It is right up my alley, all the things I am interested in.
I found this recipe for fermented cheese and decided to try it. The original recipe called for mashed potatoes, and kefir. You let the mixture ferment for 2 days, then drain it. I decided to try it with sweet potatoes.
And I could not find any kefir in the store to save my life! The only kind I could find was strawberry kefir. So strawberry kefir and sweet potatoes it was!
I thought they possibly might be a good flavor combination, and they were!
Fermented Sweet Potato Cheese
2 cups mashed sweet potatoes or 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 cup kefir
1 tsp salt
Peel and chop the potatoes into pieces. Place in a saucepan and cover with water. Boil until the potatoes are tender.
Drain, and mash the potatoes using a hand or stand mixer. Mix until creamy. Pour in the kefir and salt, and stir to combine.
Leave the mixture at room temperature for 2 days. After the 2 days, place the “cheese” in cheesecloth, and let drain for another 12 hours. I chose this method of placing the cheese in cheesecloth, tying it together with a hair tie, and using a clothespin to attach it to a long handled spoon over a large bowl. Nice huh!
After it drained, it really did have the consistency of a soft cheese!
You could really taste the strawberry flavor, but it was tangy as well! I think it worked well with chips, fruits, and vegetables!
I have the same book now, and have had it for a long while too. I read quite a bit of it -but, it seems to be over my head!! so, then I just dove into some of the recipes and there was only two that I was successful with -and one I DID NOT EVEN LIKE how it turned out. I am not a pro with fermented foods -the process intimidates me. And I finally start to feel scattered brain with it all , so back on the shelf it is.
I hope you enjoy the book … and maybe as you make the recipes (and if you share, tee hee) I’ll gain a bit confidence.
I never thought of buying kefir from the store??? um… that I think would take away some of my intimidity.
So glad you enjoyed the strawberry sweet potato!!!
~Deanna
Deanna recently posted..Comparing vs Compassion
Very interesting Jane! This looks easy enough for even me.
It really is very simple! Mix and let sit. I’m really loving it too! It is nice and tangy! A good dip alternative!
Wow, I had never heard of this before! Thank you for sharing!
Alex @ Brain, Body, Because recently posted..Dogs and Weights
I like the serendipitous use of strawberry kefir – those flavors sound good together. I have a bunch of sweet potatoes left over from my own redux’d recipe, so I’ll give this a whirl!
Kat @ Eating The Week recently posted..Recipe ReDux: Fermented foods – pickled jalapenos on egg-stuffed sweet potatoes
awesome, thanks!
Never would have thought of that in a million years! Happy Friday Jane!
Biz recently posted..Happy Birthday Joe!
This recipe is so cool! Does it kind of remind you of a cream cheese spread, like for bagels? That’s what I’d be tempted to use it for.
Veronica recently posted..Thankful Thursdays #84: dirty dishes
It was thicker than that … but I bet it would be good on bagels! (not that I have had one in a long time tho
It was a little more the consistency of hummus. I think it would be good spread on a sandwich or I just dipped it with tortilla chips!
Totally intriguing! I want to try
Erica recently posted..Weelicious Spinach Gnocchi (Giveaway!!)
You are so creative, I think that combo sounds great. I love experimenting with new flavors!
Rhonda recently posted..Favorite Things #36 – The Netherlands
That looks awesome!!! And…that is definitely in my top 3 favorite nutrition books! I have read and re-read it so many times! You’ll love it I’m sure
Lisa recently posted..California Sabbatical, and Budget {but fancy} Tuna Pickle Bites
haha I know! I have had it forever, but never really got to the recipe part, just the beginning part
I have never heard of potato cheese – how clever! And I have leftover kefir from my post as well as extra potatoes from my CSA share – think I need to give your recipe a shot.
Deanna @ Teaspoon of Spice recently posted..Sweet & Spicy Mango Kefir – The Recipe ReDux
Good for you! I had to skip this redux. I had no clue what to make!
TastefullyJulie recently posted..Red Potato and Leek Soup
hahaha – there’s always next month!
You make the coolest stuff! I had no idea you could make a potato cheese.
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