Young pickles are brined for 24 hours (or possibly up to 48) before fridging and eating, to give you that super crunchy texture and saltier (versus sour) flavor. It’s a real delicatessen icon. This video provides some more info and guidance. Please subscribe to the YouTube channel for notifications about […]
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Grapefruit Simple Syrup
Welcome to the syrup that turned my picky-eater son from a grapefruit hater to a grapefruit lover. “Dad! Grapefruit is my favorite fruit of all time!” No joke. All it took was a bit of this drizzled on his grapefruit. This grapefruit syrup has a great sweet and tangy punch […]
The Bubbly Greyhound (Sparkling Vodka Grapefruit Cocktail)
Are you ready for the most refreshing, memorable cocktail of the summer? I recently made a super fizzy grapefruit-basil soda with my water kefir grains which I loved, and a grapefruit simple syrup. These were done with pink grapefruits, which added a nice color, but any grapefruit will do. These […]
Video: Top 10 Tips for the Crunchiest Ferment Pickles
This is a top ten list and detailed explanation for making the crunchiest garlic dill pickles. Somehow I forgot to mention (even though it’s a big one for me) that keeping the cucumbers whole (uncut) is the best practice for ferment pickles. If you like this content, please hit the […]
Video Tutorial: Garlic Dill Pickles
This is a five-minute demonstration, recipe & explanation for making classic sour garlic dill pickles. If you like these videos, please subscribe directly to the YouTube channel.
Grapefruit-Basil Soda (Water Kefir)
This soda is so refreshing it’s insane! It’s not grapefruit season but I just love pink grapefruit on a hot day and they have been dynamite! My son decided it’s his favorite fruit ever times a thousand, after years of me trying to convince him it was even edible. Funny […]
Separate Milk Kefir into Curds (“Kefir Cheese”) and Whey
This video shows a simple process of separating out milk kefir whey and curds from each other, giving you kefir whey and kefir cheese. They can have certain applications on their own that is superior to them being mixed. For example, kefir cheese can be used as a spread, dip, […]
Insane’s Shop (on Facebook)
For my curated shop of all things I love for fermentation and in the kitchen, click here. I do not list items I don’t use myself. Items are typically “Amazon’s Choice” products (high user reviews; competitive price; readily available). Food items are normally organic versions which I use myself. Insane […]
Video: Use Kefir Grains to Make Real, Probiotic Sour Cream
Below is a short video I made which shows how to culture heavy whipping cream with milk kefir (not the grains themselves) in order to produce real kefir sour cream. From there, it can be broken down into butter and buttermilk. For that recipe/process, click here, otherwise scroll down for […]
Holishkes (Beef & Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)
Both my grandmothers used to make this traditional Eastern European Jewish dish. In my hazy memory, I think I was really doubtful I would like these, but the sweetness pulled in the otherwise picky young eater I was. I wish now I could ask them what any of their tips […]