Kefir and Yogurt Cheese: A Perfect Substitute for Cream Cheese
Yogurt Cheese
Begin by making raw yogurt, or kefir yogurt. See yogurt video and recipe here.
When kefir or yogurt is done, wet a cloth such as a clean dish towel, or hanky with cool water and wring it out well. This will allow the thickened yogurt to come off of the cloth more easily. (The weave of a cheesecloth is not fine enough.) You can also use paper towels, or a large basket size coffee filter.
Line a medium sized colander with the cloth.
Place colander over a bowl and pour yogurt, or kefir yogurt into the cloth lined colander.
Cover the bowl, or fold the cloth over the kefir or yogurt and place it in the fridge to drain.
Drain for 2-3 days until desired texture is reached.
Remove yogurt cheese from the cloth and place it in an airtight container to store in the fridge.
Cream Cheese: For a cream cheese substitute, stir in a little salt to taste.
Waffle and Pancake Spread: This is delicious spread on pancakes, or waffles with berry syrup over the top, or sliced fruit drizzled with pure maple syrup.
Dip: It also makes a delicious dip with salt and herbs.
Fruit Flavored Spread: Stir in sweetened fruit to taste.
Salad Dressing: It makes a wonderful addition to salad dressing. Stir it into any vinaigrette for a creamier dressing.
What is the clear yellowish liquid that drains off yogurt?
Whey! Remember Little Miss Muffet and her curds and whey? It's kind of funny, we eat Greek Yogurt because we think it's healthy when it's simply yogurt with the whey drained off. In fact, it's less healthy, because whey is good stuff! People eat Greek Yogurt that is yogurt, minus the whey, and then buy powdered whey protein to put in their smoothies. Hum... I think it's better to stick with the real deal, don't you? It's more heathy! It hasn't been processed and denatured. Your body will thank you!
How would one use whey? Use in lacto-fermentation, use it in soaking grains, use it in soups, bone broths, sauces, smoothies, and if you have a lot of whey from raw hard cheesemaking, you could use it as a hair rinse, as a face treatment, and in your bath water. It stores for a month, or so in the fridge.