Grapefruit Sherbet & An Ode to Fermentation
Grapefruit Sherbet, made with Kefir is a refreshing healthy dessert packed with gut-healthy probiotics.
Oh, my goodness…
This Recipe ReDux challenge put me into full-on panic mode when I first saw this month’s reveal…
September-Fermented Foods-With the start of the school year, get your gut back in gear with natural fermentation! Think sauerkraut, yogurt, grape juice.
You see, this is the thing…
I was a tad bit tardy checking out the theme for this month’s post, and I had spooky visions of bad college chemistry experiments gone awry as I attempted to ferment something…anything…in a matter of two days, especially considering the fact that the only thing in my life I had ever fermented was to try and turn grape juice into wine. {Another big-time college fail in one of my nutrition classes!}
Thank goodness the fermenting Gods were on my side as I read a little more of the reveal…
Ahh…this was my out though! I didn’t have to actually ferment something on my own, but instead I could create something delicious with one of my favorite fermented foods…
Sauerkraut? No thanks!
Kimchi? Hmm…not a huge fan either…
Yogurt…Been there done that.
But what about something similar, but a little different, and loaded with good for your GI tract buggies…
Kefir!
Oh my goodness there are a lot of Kefir bottles to choose from!
So here’s what I came up with…
Grapefruit Sherbet made with kefir.
I know what you’re thinking…
It’s 1 day before fall officially starts, and who wants to be thinking about ice-cold sherbet when cinnamon-scented apple pies are starting to pop out of ovens??
Well, here’s the thing…
It’s still hot here, and grapefruit season is still in full swing in San Diego…
Locally grown organic grapefruits on display at Whole Foods.
…and, really, is it ever a bad time to enjoy a delicious frozen treat, especially when it’s kinda good for you too?
I certainly think not!
Here’s my super easy recipe…
Ruby Red Grapefruit Kefir Sherbet
Ingredients
- 2 cups Ruby Red grapefruit juice, about 2 1/2 large grapefruit fresh squeezed
- 2 cups kefir, plain
- 1/2 cup sugar
- grapefruit zest, optional, fo garnish
Instructions
- Pour kefir in to a non-reactive bowl. Add sugar and whisk in well. Pour in grapefruit juice and whisk to combine. Place mixture in refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours or longer. Pour in to ice cream maker and process per manufacturer’s recommendations. You can enjoy right away as “soft serve” or place mixture in a container in the freezer until desired consistency is achieved. Garnish with grapefruit zest when serving if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Glasses waiting to be filled with yummy sherbet…
Oh my goodness, eat me before I melt!!!
Nutrition Info…
- Naturally gluten-free and vegetarian. I used Lifeway Keifer made from cow’s milk, but you can also find goat’s milk kefir and coconut milk kefir too, which can be used to make a vegan version of this sherbet.
- Kefir is a cultured probiotic beverage, similar to yogurt in taste, and made from milk fermented with kefir cultures.
- Like yogurt, kefir contains good for your gut probiotics, but in greater amounts than yogurt. In addition, kefir seems to be well tolerated by people with lactose intolerance.
- Kefir is a good source of calcium, potassium, and protein.
- Grapefruit juice is a good source of vitamin C and other nutrients. You can read more about the nutrition scoop on grapefruit here.
I tried making a Grapefruit Sherbet sometime last year and I hated it… the recipe called for champagne, and I thought, WOW that will be one awesome dessert… it wasn’t. 🙂 BUT, this recipe sounds amazing…especially with the Kefir! YUMMO!!
OMG!! I love it! I have been buying Kefir religiously over the last 2 months, I love it I just drink it plain this idea is fantastic! I need to get a little more creative with it. I don’t have an ice cream maker so bumm-er! I do love fermented foods. Sauerkraut and Kimchee but who often does a person eat those??!!
Haha this made me laugh. Love that the inspiration came from your blog! I would have been a bit nervous about this challenge. Nice job though- great recipe!
did not know (may have suspected) kefir has more probiotics than yogurt. I’m so with you on the lack of desire to ferment myself. I do have some fermented products I like, a great hot sauce in particular.
It’s definitely still warm enough during the daytime here to enjoy sherbet! I love citrus of all kinds, especially grapefruit, so this sounds wonderful to me. YUM!
I’ve been all about kefir lately, will have to try this one soon as it’s still amazingly hot up here and I could use a nice refreshing treat!
This sounds delicious!
But you should definitely give kimchi another chance. It’s an acquired tasted… 😉
Have a great weekend!
OK, twist my arm 🙂 Do you have any kimchi recipes on your blog? I promise to try again! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Wow! I have never used or tasted kefir! Thank you for opening my eyes to what I need to try next. This looks amazing!:)
Thanks so much JeJe! I am finding lots of fermented foods this ReDux that I’ve never tried before. Fun!
I love this!! I have never tried kefir.
In regards to this challenge, there aren’t too any foods I have fermented but want to start.
I think this recipe would be the way to go.
I really wanted to participate this month, but had so much going on with starting a new job. I know, excuses, excuses. I will try for next month.
LOL! I have missed a few ReDux’s myself 🙂 Congrats again on the new job!
This looks so good. I need to give this a try. I love grapefruit but everyone else in my house does not. This just means there will be more for me!
Thanks Penny! I can’t understand that why my kids don’t like grapefruit, as it’s something I’ve always loved, but like you say, it just means more for us 🙂
I’m going out to pick up a few grapefruits for the weekend, they look gorgeous in your photo;-)
I like Kefir but always forget to about it and normally go for yogurt instead. Your sherbet recipe sounds delicious and is just the kind of creativity I enjoy, thanks for your recipe;-)
Thanks so much for stopping by Patty! I’m the same as you re: using more yogurt than Kefir, but I’m going to start stocking it in my fridge from now on. Happy grapefruit eating!!
Love the idea of using grapefruits. I love grapefruit and kefir. both. Thanks for sharing. . 🙂 :Looks wonderful!
Thanks Cherie! Next time I’ll make it with your recipe for homemade Kefir 🙂
Great idea – I love the sound of this! I haven’t bought kefir before, only made it at home a few years back. Wish I had thought to make a treat like this with the kefir as I didn’t like it straight up.
Thanks Jeanette! If you like grapefruit, I think you will really like it. My husband and I really enjoyed it last night after dinner. My kids, however, are not grapefruit fans so they each took one bite and wrinkled up their noses. Hmmm…more for me 🙂
NICE WORK!! I love kefir, but I rarely eat it. I wish it was more thick, like yogurt. The flavored ones are always loaded with sugar too, which is a bummer ( and the plain one is just boring, but I love it in smoothies!). Your recipe sounds like a keeper. Not too much sugar at all, but plenty of delicious flavor!
Thanks so much Gina!! So true what you say about most of the flavored kefir’s being high in sugar. This sherbet is definitely lower in sugar than most store bought ones are, and the grapefruit adds such a refreshing twist. Hope you make some!
Wow, this looks SO refreshing, EA. Lol how the Redux challenge was actually inspired by you! It is quickly getting cold here but I can see this as a great alternative to a lassi with an Indian meal. We get some amazing Polish kefir over here, and this looks so easy, no excuse not to try it 😀
Oh…I really could use some of your cold weather….but only for a day or two 🙂 Glad you like the sherbet Kellie & hope you give it a try! Curious to try that Polish kefir…