Sweet and Spicy Mango Kefir | The Recipe ReDux
I admit, I was stumped with this month's Recipe ReDux theme (the first and only recipe challenge founded by registered dietitians -join us!) which is "Fermented Foods." You may have heard about the health benefits of these foods - many which can be traced back thousands of years to ancient cultures like Rome and China. The probiotic strains that are created during lacto-fermentation are good for our guts and help protect against food borne illnesses. (Read more on the history and health benefits of fermenation in Food & Nutrition Magazine.)
This ReDux challenge encouraged us to make our own fermented food (or use as an ingredient.) I considered making sourdough bread (you need a starter), kefir (you need a starter), sauerkraut (you need a ceramic crock) and then with 48 hours to go, I realized time was not on my side.
So, instead, I bought some already fermented, plain kefir. Kefir is cultured milk drink (think a cross between yogurt and buttermilk) that is fermented with kefir grains. Currently, I'm loving the rising trend of mixing spicy & savory spices/herbs with desserts and fruits - I recently had some gourmet chili mango hard candy (mango with chili is a common treat in many warm climates around the globe.) Here I used smoked paprika (my spice obsession over the past year) in place of chili powder and upon researching the best way to mix spice into a drink, I stumbled across making spiced ice cubes.
The creamy tang of the kefir + the sweetness from the mango & honey + the smoky burn of paprika = a heavenly flavor trio! (If you want more spicy heat and less smoke, use chili powder instead.)
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Sweet & Spicy Mango Kefir – The Recipe ReDux
- Yield: 4 drinks 1x
Description
Kefir is a fermented drink that is good for your gut. This month's Recipe ReDux recipe is a flavored kefir with sweet mango, spicy smoked paprika and honey.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup water
- 1 ½ cups finely chopped frozen mango, divided
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 4 cups 1% plain kefir
Instructions
- To make the spiced ice cubes, combine smoked paprika (or chili powder) in 1 cup water. Pour into an ice cube tray and freeze.
- Once ice cubes are ready, add 3 - 4 cubes (depending on how spicy you like your drink) to a blender. Add 1 cup frozen mango, ⅓ cup water and 1 tablespoon honey. Puree until well blended.
- To serve, pour 1 cup of kefir into a glass. Pour ¼ - ⅓ cup spiced mango puree on top. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons frozen mango. Swirl with a spoon and serve. (Repeat 3 more times - makes a total of 4 kefir drinks.)
What's your favorite fermented food? Have you ever made your own yogurt or kefir?
Oooh Deanna love the way you describe flavours. My Mr Surfer Dude would love this. He's very partial to mango drinks. I'll never forget when we lived in London and would go to the local Indian every Friday night. Here would always have a mango lassi right before the main courses arrived! I would have been full already!
You'll have to make it for Surfer Dude! Mango lassis are delish but I agree - I couldn't do them before a big Indian meal.
Very nice photos and description! I eat yogurt everyday, but have never tired kefir. Your post has motivated me to pick some up!
Thanks Diane- you like the tang of yogurt, you will definitely like kefir. I'm a new convert 🙂
This looks wonderful. I love having sweet and spicy together too. Great idea! I love mango's.
Thanks!
This so good! I love kefir 🙂 I'll have to try the spiced ice cubes - I bet they would be good in lots of different things!
Wow-Super creative idea Deanna, and looks so pretty too! I'm so glad to know I wasn't the only one who decided fermentation 48 hours before posting wasn't going to happen! You know I have to make this, since the Spice Fairy sent me some smoked paprika not too long ago 🙂
EA - I was laughing as I read your post because we were totally on the same page this month!! LOVE your sherbet!
That looks amazing and super refreshing! Must try it!
Thanks Nour - I hope my comment about your labneh went through - I can't wait to try it out!
So creative - wouldn't have thought in a million years to try combining these flavours together!
Love your photos, so pretty. And I love kefir, Thanks for the new recipe!
Wow! What a wonderful recipe! I tried Kefir for the first time just recently, and I must say that the flavor was very familiar to me! Growing up in Korea, I def had an abundance of yogurt drinks that tasted quite similar! I just didn't know they were called Kefir here ;). I absolutely love smoked paprika as well! The more I spend time in the kitchen, the more I'm falling in love with all the exotic spices out there!
I've never thought to make flavored ice cubes either! What a great idea! So versatile! I'm thinking these will be a great addition to my mocktail I'm thinking about taking to the football party next weekend! Thanks for the inspiration!
Very cool recipe, the flavor combinations sound like it'll wake up your taste buds!