Page 85 - Spring2009

cardamom, and saffron. And yogurt cheese balls raw as much as possible; however, there are times
preserved in olive oil, called labneh anbaris, is when it is the ideal choice for a certain soup or
a popular food in the Middle East (see recipe on casserole—or you just have an excess supply.
page 86). Below are some ideas to help inspire your cre-
ativity when it comes to using your delectable
WAYS TO USE WHEY homemade cheese.
Whey is the tart, golden liquid known to the
Greek doctors of antiquity as “healing water.” Herby dip: Blend salt, garlic (maybe roasted),
In fact, Hippocrates and Galen, two founding diced onion (white, red or green), a little olive
fathers of medicine, frequently recommended oil and your favorite herbs (dried or fresh) with
whey to their patients. Whey from fully fer- your curd cheese. Maybe toss in a few pieces of
3
mented milk no longer contains lactose, and with nitrate-free bacon or a dash of Worcestershire
its dose of probiotic organisms will help maintain sauce for an added kick. Complements vegetables
a synergistic balance of the inner ecosystem and and crackers nicely.
encourage repair of gut dysbiosis. Whey also
contains a fair number of minerals, particularly Sweet deliciousness: Blend maple syrup or
potassium, and a notable amount of vitamins, stevia, vanilla and perhaps a little cinnamon,
4
especially B . So what do you do with all your nutmeg or jam into your curd cheese. Use as a
2
nourishing whey? topping on pancakes or waffles, filling for crêpes,
frosting or fruit dip.
‡ 'ULQN LW 'ULQN LW VWUDLJKW RU PL[ LW LQ ZLWK D
fermented beverage or hot tea. Cashew honey dip: Grind crispy cashews (see
‡ )UHH]H ZKH\ LQWR LFH FXEHV DQG EOHQG WKHP Nourishing Traditions) in the food processor un-
into smoothies for a more slushy texture or til a fine powder results, add a similar amount of
cool-down a beverage on a hot day. cheese curd. Toss in a scoop of honey and a dash
‡ 5HSODFH D SRUWLRQ RI WKH ZDWHU XVHG WR FRRN of vanilla to taste and blend again. Add cheese
grains. curd until your desired consistency is reached
‡ ,QFOXGH LQ VRDNLQJ ZDWHU LQ OHJXPHV DQG and honey to taste. This makes a yummy apple
grains to improve digestibility (see Nourish- dip, but can also be used on top of pancakes or
ing Traditions for details). in crêpes.
‡ /DFWR IHUPHQW DOPRVW DQ\WKLQJ¥DSSOHV
zucchini, cabbage, cherry chutney, ginger Mexican dip: Mix cheese curd with salsa,
carrots—see Nourishing Traditions by Sally chopped green onions, shredded Cheddar cheese,
Fallon and Wild Fermentation by Sandor El- and some Mexican spice mix (chili powder,
lix Katz. oregano, cumin, garlic and onion powder) and
‡ )HHG WR SHWV¥FKLFNHQV GRJV FDWV WKH\ DOO a sprinkle of salt. Enjoy with homemade corn
can benefit from this nourishing liquid. chips.
Hippocrates

INSPIRING IDEAS Cream soup: Make a simple batch of tomato and Galen,
FOR USING CURD CHEESE or broccoli soup and once cooled, stir in some two
Homemade, fresh curd cheese is the perfect velvety cheese curd to add another dimension.
complement or even replacement for sour cream founding
in soups or dips and commercial cream cheese Enhanced-mayo: Replace a scoop or two of fathers of
in spreads or desserts. It even does a fine job mayo in a recipe, such as chicken or salmon salad medicine,
replacing mayonnaise on occasion. Best of all, or deviled eggs, with moist cheese curd to give
curd cheese will take on any flavor, whether it your dish a probiotic-boost. frequently
be savory, salty, or sweet, so the sky is the limit recommended
when it comes to the possibilities with this in- Cheese log/ball: Use well-drained cheese curd whey to their
gredient. Heating homemade curd cheese will and mix in an equal amount of shredded cheese
destroy the good bacteria, so I opt to keep mine of choice. Shape into a log or ball. Roll the log patients.

SPRING 2009 Wise Traditions 83