KUDOS FOR KEFIR

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You can produce a delicious, smooth, and relatively low-calorie cream of potato soup by adding kefir to the stock at the last minute. Dice 4 cups of potatoes and thinly slice 3 cups of leeks or onions ...then simmer them-until they're tender -in enough lightly salted water to cover them. While the vegetables are cooking, add a teaspoon each of dill, thyme, and caraway seeds ...plus a pinch of cayenne pepper. Then whirl the soup in a blender, and stir in enough kefir to produce the texture you prefer, before dishing it up.

The Mediterranean treat can be used in tasty desserts as well. Just whip it into a frothy cream and spoon it over fresh fruit or on top of baked goods ... or incorporate kefir into a favorite pie or cake recipe. Here's an example of a traditional pumpkin pie that's made even more palate-pleasing with the addition of cultured milk: In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 beaten eggs, 2 cups of cooked and strained pumpkin meat, 1-1/2 cups of kefir, 3/4 cup of maple syrup, 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla, and a dash of sea salt. Pour the filling into an 8-inch whole wheat pie crust and bake it at 425°F for 15 minutes ...then reduce the heat to 350° and let the dessert cook for an hour (or until the custard has set).

Kefir "ice cream", made with either plain or flavored cultured milk, is a snap to prepare, too. In a blender, combine 2-1/2 cups of kefir, 1 egg, and 1 cup of frozen or fresh chopped fruit. (Depending on the sweetness of the fruit you use, you might also want to add one or two tablespoons of honey.) Place the mixture in plastic containers and store them in your freezer until the kefir becomes hard and grainy.

As you can see, then, "Old Granddad Kefir" is certainly a food that merits a lot of respect. The ancient comestible is not only simple and inexpensive to make ...it's also a pleasingly flavorful way to obtain the nutritional bonuses of fresh milk. The next time you need a little zest in your diet, try the natural refreshment of kefir. It may not be as familiar as some of its relatives, but the hearty beverage is definitely a credit to the dairy family!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Kefir culture is available at most good health food stores. Some of the recipes in this article were adapted, with permission, from a booklet published by the East Coast Kefir Company.

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