Our friend and colleague Dr. Jenna Macciochi shared this recipe for Kefir Ice Lollies on her Instagram feed (@dr_jenna_macciochi) , and they looked so delicious that we asked her if we could also share the recipe on our blog.
We are finally having some warmer weather here in the UK, and these easy to make lollies (popsicles) are a perfect, refreshing treat that have an added bonus of containing beneficial probiotics that promote gut health and strengthen the immune system.
Dr. Jenna is an immunologist and author of the book Immunity: The Science of Staying Well, which we highly recommend. It’s full of the latest science and information on promoting immune health, and Jenna explains it all in a way that makes it easy to digest and apply in daily life.
Here’s what Jenna says about the Kefir Ice Lollies, which she made using raspberries: “Berries are rich in plant-powered nutrients and chia brings additional gut-loving fiber. I used kefir instead of yogurt because it has a much higher diversity of gut loving bugs to benefit kid’s immune systems. I am happy to report that you can freeze kefir and the good bacteria will retain their benefits and come to life once thawed!”
Jenna is also a mom to two young twins and is enthusiastic about preparing food with them while also realistic about sticking to easy recipes that make for more enjoyable time in the kitchen together. As she explains, “as we go into ice cream season, these are a healthier treat for a warm day and a great way to get your kids involved in learning and preparing food. Lollies are one of the easiest kid-approved treats to make. They only require a few ingredients and you can swap out for alternatives depending on what you have in.”
Ready to give them a try? The recipe is below. We also have a recipe for Whole Fruit Ice Lollies/Pops in Sugarproof, which you can make using any of your favorite seasonal fruits. You can get your copy here, or anywhere books are sold.
Kefir Ice Lollies by Dr. Jenna Macciochi
INGREDIENTS:
–400 ml (about 1 3/4 cups) whole organic milk kefir (can also use a vegan variety like coconut kefir)
–200g (about 1 1/2 cups) berries of your choice (I used fresh raspberries plus a handful of frozen mixed berries)
–1 Tablespoon of chia seeds (optional)
–2 medjool dates to sweeten (could use a banana, honey, or maple syrup as alternatives)
INSTRUCTIONS:
–Set some berries aside and blend all the other ingredients together.
–If using larger berries like strawberries and raspberries, chop into smaller chunks first then add to the blended mixture.
–Pour into moulds and freeze until set.
