Pomegranate Kefir Mousse (No-Bake, Egg-free)
A light and luscious no-bake mousse reminiscent of cheese cake made with probiotic rich kefir yogurt and pomegranate
Author: Kelly
Serves: Serves 4
Ingredients
- 2 cups of pure pomegranate juice
- 1 Tbsp gelatin powder
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 cups Kefir cheese (or other soft quality cheese or yogurt such as quark, ricotta or Greek yogurt)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup or so pomegranate seeds (arils)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, place ¼ cup pomegranate juice and add the gelatin powder. Allow the mixture to sit and hydrate (or "bloom"). It will become temporarily hard.
- Meanwhile, bring the remaining pomegranate juice and maple syrup to a gentle boil on the stove top. Remove the mixture from heat and carefully add it to the gelatin mixture whisking until the gelatin is fully dissolved.
- Add vanilla and kefir cheese to the warm pomegranate mixture, whisking to combine all ingredients until the kefir cheese is integrated and smooth. The pomegranate cheesecake mixture will take on a beautiful antique rose hue.
- Pour the cheesecake mixture into individual glasses or bowls and refrigerate until firm (about 3-4 hours).
- Before serving, sprinkle the cheesecakes with pomegranate seeds -- enjoy!
Notes
Kefir is simply a fermented milk product (much like yogurt) that is rich in protein, calcium, B vitamins and potassium. It is often sold as a beverage and typically has a thinner consistency than yogurt. The big difference between Kefir and yogurt is in the number of active cultures they contain. Kefir typically contains 3 times the amount of probiotic cultures (friendly bacteria) as yogurt. Probiotic cultures help inhibit the growth of unfriendly, disease-causing bacteria while stimulating digestion and the body's immune system.
Kefir cheese is a soft and smooth cheese - easily spreadable - made from the Kefir milk product. It has a much higher quality nutrition profile than other soft cheeses, notably cream cheese, and it tastes better too! (I've always found cream cheese a bit on the plastic side taste wise - overly processed). I'd like to try making my own Kefir cheese some day.
Those who are lactose intolerant may find it easier to tolerate Kefir beverage, Kefir cheese and yogurt because the live cultures used to make them break down the milk sugar (pre-digesting the sugar for you!).
Kefir cheese is a soft and smooth cheese - easily spreadable - made from the Kefir milk product. It has a much higher quality nutrition profile than other soft cheeses, notably cream cheese, and it tastes better too! (I've always found cream cheese a bit on the plastic side taste wise - overly processed). I'd like to try making my own Kefir cheese some day.
Those who are lactose intolerant may find it easier to tolerate Kefir beverage, Kefir cheese and yogurt because the live cultures used to make them break down the milk sugar (pre-digesting the sugar for you!).
Recipe by Inspired Edibles at https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/11/pomegranate-kefir-mousse-no-bake-egg.html