{"id":"kefir_dd11299b28","slug":"homemade-kefir","title":"Homemade Kefir","description":"A tangy, probiotic-rich fermented milk drink with a creamy consistency, perfect for gut health and refreshing on its own.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":1445,"activeMinutes":5},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1 liter Whole Milk","name":"Milk","quantity":1,"unit":"l","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"quart","form":"whole","notes":"cow, goat, or sheep milk","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 tablespoon active Kefir Grains","name":"Kefir Grains","quantity":15,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"active","notes":"not powdered starter","group":"starter","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Place the kefir grains into a clean glass jar.","group":"Preparation","title":"Place the kefir grains","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Pour the milk into the jar, leaving about an inch of headspace at the top.","group":"Preparation","title":"Pour the milk into the jar, leaving about an inch of headspace","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Cover the jar with a breathable cloth or paper towel and secure it with a rubber band. This allows gases to escape while keeping out dust and insects.","group":"Fermentation","title":"Cover the jar with a breathable cloth or paper towel and secure it","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Fermentation"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Leave the jar at room temperature (ideally around 68°F-75°F (20°C-24°C)) for approximately 24 hours. The kefir is ready when the milk has thickened and tastes tangy.","group":"Fermentation","title":"Leave the jar at room temperature","timerMinutes":1440,"sourceTitle":"Fermentation"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Strain the mixture through a non-metal sieve into a bowl to separate the grains from the liquid kefir.","group":"Finishing","title":"Strain the mixture through a non-metal sieve","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Transfer the strained liquid to a clean bottle and refrigerate. The grains can be immediately used for a new batch.","group":"Finishing","title":"Transfer the strained liquid","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"Ensure all equipment is thoroughly cleaned to prevent unwanted bacteria growth. Use glass jars instead of metal, as kefir grains are slightly acidic and can react with certain metals over time.","cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Ukrainian"]},"course":["drink"],"cookingMethod":["noCook"],"equipment":["Glass jar","Breathable cloth","Rubber band","Plastic sieve","Wooden spoon"],"diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","high_protein"],"allergens":["milk"],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":1,"unit":"l","note":"Yields approximately 4 servings"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Kefir can be prepared in large batches and stores well in the refrigerator."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in a sealed glass bottle in the refrigerator.","reheatingNotes":"Do not heat as it will kill the beneficial probiotics; serve cold."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fkefir_dd11299b28%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=1ba02433-2953-49a1-9723-6376639f79bc","imageAlt":"Homemade Kefir — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["probiotic","fermented","healthy","homemade","gut health"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Homemade Kefir","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T05:47:24.287Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T05:47:24.287Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_64bc72ba95","slug":"apple-ginger-drink","title":"Apple Ginger Drink","description":"A warming and aromatic Eastern European beverage made with fresh apples, zesty ginger, and a hint of honey. Perfect for cozy evenings or as a refreshing vitamin boost.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Ukrainian"]},"course":["drink"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","flexitarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","low_fat"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_64bc72ba95%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=88fc0711-9ce8-4218-ba83-8d4c46dff200","imageAlt":"Apple Ginger Drink — recipe cover","tags":["warming","healthy","ginger","apple","vitamins","winter drink"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":4},{"id":"kawa_zbozowa_2638c6ac6f","slug":"grain-coffee-kawa-zbozowa","title":"Grain Coffee (Kawa Zbożowa)","description":"A comforting, caffeine-free traditional Eastern European beverage made from roasted barley, rye, and chicory, perfectly served with milk and honey.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":2,"cookMinutes":8,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Polish"]},"course":["drink"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","nut_free","egg_free","soy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fkawa_zbozowa_2638c6ac6f%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7355d8c9-f7ec-4cce-b623-35f43792d30a","imageAlt":"Grain Coffee (Kawa Zbożowa) — recipe cover","tags":["caffeine-free","roasted-grain","traditional","morning-drink","warming"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":4},{"id":"herbata_933b37cb9d","slug":"herbata-eastern-european-style-black-tea","title":"Herbata (Eastern European Style Black Tea)","description":"A comforting and traditional Eastern European preparation of black tea, typically served hot with a slice of lemon and a touch of honey or sugar.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":1,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":6,"activeMinutes":2},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Polish","Ukrainian"]},"course":["drink"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fherbata_933b37cb9d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=69cab18a-a90d-4161-93f2-cf7507382971","imageAlt":"Herbata (Eastern European Style Black Tea) — recipe cover","tags":["tea","hot drink","herbata","black tea","lemon tea","honey","comforting"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":4}]}