Hubby and I love to indulge in cheesecake, so I created a delicious Chocolate Cheesecake Fruit Dip, made with Lifeway Kefir.  So it has the satisfying cheescake flavor with all of the goodness that kefir provides!

Ingredients:

• 4 Tbsp Madagascar Vanilla Lifeway Kefir Cultured Milk Smoothie
• 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 4 Tbsp coconut sugar (can be substituted with your favorite sugar)
• 2 tsp cocoa powder

Directions:

1. Mix kefir and cream cheese together in a mixer until smooth and creamy.
2. Add in sugar and cocoa powder and mix well.
3. Serve with your favorite fruit, graham crackers, etc.

I have found that any recipe that calls for milk, buttermilk, or yogurt, kefir can be substituted instead.  Keep in mind that when you cook kefir, the probiotic benefits are lost, but Lifeway Kefir is still gluten and GMO free, 99% lactose free, and never contains artificial sweeteners, which makes it a healthier option for my family.  We have made banana muffins with kefir, and also this delicious Garlic Chicken with Fettuccine & Kefir Sauce:

Ingredients for Garlic Chicken:

• two chicken breasts
• garlic powder
• grapeseed oil
• salt

Directions for Garlic Chicken:

1. Set oven to 400º.
2. Place chicken breasts in a glass dish.
3. Drizzle grapeseed oil on chicken breasts.
4. Sprinkle salt and garlic powder, as much or as little as you like, over the chicken breasts.
5. Cook for about an hour, until the house is filled with the smell of yummy garlic and the center is no longer pink.

Ingredients for Fettuccine and Kefir Sauce:

• one package of fettuccine
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1/2 purple onion, diced
• 1/2 tsp garlic
• 1 cup of Plain Lifeway Kefir Cultured Lowfat Milk Smoothie
• 1 cup of heavy cream
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 Tbsp corn starch (optional, for thickening)

Directions for Fettuccine and Kefir Sauce:

1. Cook fettuccine according to package instructions.
2. Sauté purple onions in butter until they are cooked and clear.
3. Add in garlic and cook for an additional minute.
4. Add plain kefir, cream, salt, and pepper.
5. Stir continually on medium heat until sauce thickens.
6. Sprinkle corn starch and stir in if your sauce is not thick enough for your liking.
7. Serve sliced chicken and kefir sauce over fettuccine noodles and enjoy!

​If you'd like to try kefir or stock up for your favorite recipe, sign up for money saving coupons at the Lifeway Kefir website!  

How do you enjoy kefir?  If you have not tried it, do you have any delicious recipes in mind to try it in?