Sunday, February 7, 2010

Culturing my Raw Milk - For the First Time

I went yesterday and bought raw cream and raw milk - $15.00 and some creme fraiche ($5.79 - a one time purchase, I hope).  This afternoon I got some Kefir beads from Arleen.  I now have my very expensive, nutrient dense, healthy, full of good fats milk SITTING ON THE COUNTER!

For some reason, this is making me a little nervous.  I don't know why.  I know the science behind culturing - I have a counter full of food being happily preserved this way..... I know the reasoning - I am trying to preserve food without killing off the enzymes and nutrients AND I am adding another cultured food for gut health...... I want to make cultured butter tomorrow and I want to use the cultured milk all week.

I am still a little nervous.  I am envious of all of you younger Moms trying these old/new ways to feed your family.  When you find out some new information you can change without changing 50 years of habits.  I have never in my life left milk on the counter overnight deliberately.

I am putting the steel cut oats out to soak as soon as I finish my late night musing.  Every bit of milk we have in the house is sitting on the counter.  Hopefully by tomorrow, I will have a new reality... like I learned with the sauerkraut, the ginger ale, the beet kvass, the sourdough bread, the pickles, the peppers, the really good tortilla recipe I accidentally stumbled upon (recipe to follow... hopefully tomorrow) .... all preserved with culturing - allowing the good bacteria to overwhelm the bad bacteria.  I know it in my mind, but tonight, it is a challenge.

Lets hope for the best.

Note:  I am having some of the cream cultured with creme fraiche this morning in my coffee.   It is a little different taste and texture, but good.  I think I will like this one.  The raw cream goes sour too quickly otherwise.  I will save some of this cream for a "starter culture" for next week's cream.  Later today I will make cultured raw butter out of most of this, and save some for my coffee.

If you try this, be sure you save a "starter" for the next time.  That way you don't have to buy another container of creme fraiche and can save some money.

7 comments:

  1. Love your new picture of the boys in the garden! I want to visit you this summer and be inspired by it:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. It will be interesting to see how it turns out for you. I understand your hesitation in leaving dairy products out all night.

    I appreciate all you do to help others take 'a step' towards improving their health.

    Take Care,
    Sherri Ann
    sherriannskeepingroom.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I would love the visit Bobbi.... Maybe we can do some of the swim days up here. I keep the chlorine at a really, really minimal level. It might be fun to have some of the days here.

    I would still love to have a "core" group of swim kids and do them a couple of times per week... slow and steady.... instead of the intense week. Maybe this will be the year.

    Glad you like the pic.... I spent a long time going through pictures yesterday (since I got to opt out of the Super Bowl) and had a really fun time. So many happy memories.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sherri, I will keep everyone updated. We are headed in the direction of fresh milk. This is like a whole new world. It really was quite a bit more difficult than I thought... talk about indoctrination! Obviously it has gone deeper in me than I thought!

    Let me know how your journey is going personally. I would love an e-mail from you or a cuppa coffee together to see what you are thinking about these ideas :)

    Thanks for sticking with us.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love, love the new heading picture. Gardens are so beautiful. I think the last time I was at your house was about 20 years ago for a new years party (my parents "made" Bobbi & I go with them). Things sure change & if we are around this summer, I'm in for the swim lessons too.

    I'm excited to try making creme fraiche. I have used it before in butternut squash soup (delicious) & desserts but as it is expensive I don't buy it often.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Swimming sounds good right now! If you come the same week Jodi does, we can do the intense week :) I have to start really exercising in about a month. Every year it takes me a little longer :(

    I am pretty sure you can save the creme friche starter. It was pretty good in my coffee. I still need to do the butter, but the day got away from me.... again.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am so glad you like the picture. It took me forever to find just the right one. I hoped it worked!

    ReplyDelete