THE COUNTER

Kefir Ranch Dip (for all your dipping needs)

July 9, 2019 by Sylvia Rose Leave a Comment

Kefir ranch dip is a wonderful way to use up an abundance of kefir and is a tasty way to sneak in probiotics. Learn how to make this kefir ranch dip to serve with the veggie platter at your next party!

A RANCH DIP RECIPE FOR WHEN YOU’RE OUT OF BUTTERMILK

I love buttermilk as much as the next person, but I don’t make it at home and seldom buy it. But, I DO make my own kefir, and since I’m the only one who drinks it at home, I always have an overabundance of it. When I don’t feel like drinking it straight–which is most of the time–I store it in the fridge and before I know it, I have a tidy stockpile if I’m not vigilant about using it. I need to buy buttermilk at the store. Kefir? I’m swimming in it. Step aside, buttermilk.

KEFIR RANCH DIP AND CRUDITÉS RECIPE VIDEO

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Shredded Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing

July 2, 2019 by Sylvia Rose Leave a Comment

Make fibre your friend with this heart healthy shredded salad! Brimming with a colourful assortment of vegetables, you’re basically guaranteed to get your vitamin intake for the day.

shredded salad with spinach, zucchini, beets, potato, carrots, alfalfa sprouts and parsley

A SHREDDED SALAD FOR BETTER DIGESTION

My mom makes the best salads. She’s a raw vegetable enthusiast and goes on bouts of eating a raw diet every so often because she loves how it makes her feel. Whenever I go to her place, there’s almost always some kind of salad on the table and I love it. When it comes to salad, I don’t feel guilty going for seconds, and my mom makes so much that going back for seconds is heartily encouraged.

A couple of years ago when she was on one of her raw vegan diet kicks, she brought a special mandolin to my place and made a salad that changed everything I knew about salad. Did you know that shredding vegetables makes them more digestible? I spent the next two months eating a shredded salad for lunch every day. I was addicted.

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Three Classic Bourbon Cocktails for Summer

June 28, 2019 by Sylvia Rose 6 Comments

There are a lot of quintessentials for summer, and a good cocktail on the patio is one of them. Here are three easy classic bourbon cocktails–one with a sparkling twist!

MAKING REFRESHING COCKTAILS WITH BOURBON

Of all the whiskeys that are out there, bourbon takes the crown. At least, that’s the case in my book because I find bourbon tastes sweeter than other whiskeys. When people sip on Scotch, for example, they make comments about how it’s smoky, peaty, floral or fruity. When I sip on Scotch, all I feel is burning and I always regret giving it another shot (no pun intended). I tried hard to like Scotch, really, I did. I can tolerate it in a Scotch and soda, but I guess it’s one of those drinks that aren’t meant to be mixed in a cocktail. That’s why I like bourbon, there’s a lot you can do with it.

SUMMERY BOURBON COCKTAILS VIDEO

If this is your first time visiting the kitchen, you’re about to find out why I call my kitchen vintage… If you like my style, please consider subscribing to the Vintage Kitchen Vixen YouTube channel!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no additional cost to you.

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How to Grow Your Own Sprouts at Home

June 21, 2019 by Sylvia Rose 1 Comment

Growing your own sprouts at home is a reward all on its own. Learn everything you need to know about sprouting these nutrient-rich shoots right on your kitchen counter!

Believe it or not, sprouts used to be a treat for me.

I grew up in a small town, so finding alfalfa sprouts in the local grocery stores wasn’t an easy task.

I always appreciated them when my mom was able to get her hands on a little plastic container, but I never really gave them much thought.

When I was living near Montreal’s Jean-Talon Market (a magical place) sprouts became a regular thing, but I wish I had known then just how simple it really is to grow your own…

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Making Milk Kefir (An Easy Beginner’s Guide)

May 14, 2019 by Sylvia Rose 17 Comments

Making milk kefir is one of the easiest things you can do in the kitchen. Learn how to make this tangy probiotic drink and never spend another dime on commercial kefir again!

MAKING YOUR OWN MILK KEFIR

You may have noticed kefir in the dairy section at the grocery store stashed beside the goat milk.

It’s a fermented, gut-healthy probiotic drink that is slowly gaining in popularity but still has a long way to go.

When bought at full price (compared to making your own at home) the cost can be slightly prohibitive for a non-essential grocery item.

Even if it was more affordable, commercial kefir tastes nothing like the homemade version.

The kefir that I make at home is akin to drinking yogurt in liquid form.

It’s a thicker, tangier version of buttermilk, but oh, so much better.

When it comes to probiotics, it kicks yogurt’s butt, making it a daily go-to beverage for optimal gut health.

I’m not going to focus on kefir’s many virtues in this post, but if you’re curious, you can find a good summary of its health benefits on Healthline.

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