Old-Fashioned Buttermilk

[Paula]

I was reading up on buttermilk (trying to remember how to make it with milk and vinegar) and found out that the liquid left over after you've made butter is called "old-fashioned buttermilk". Isn't the internet grand? ;D

Since I've been making butter for the past few weeks from the milk I've bought from my friend with the cow, I've often wondered if that leftover stuff could be used for something. I've been pouring it down the sink.

Do any of you use it for anything? I can guarantee you I will NOT be drinking it. But I was wondering if I could save it and use it to cook with or something.

Thanks!

[Dandelion]

You could use it in cooking much the same as milk (though I suppose it is a little sour, so you would want to be choosy there, maybe.) It is often used in muffin recipes here. Should go fine in bread.

Rather than down the sink, have you got a compost bin, garden, or animal (pig, cat) that would drink it?

[Dandelion]

One question - milk and vinegar? How do you do that? why do you do that? I haven't heard of it, but doesn't the Bible speak of butter from milk? I was thinking of experimenting a bit, but if there's more info on that accessible more easily, I'd love to have it. That way might extract more of the fat from the milk.

We skim the cream, and beat after it's been at room temp. for a few hours. The fresh butter tastes much the same as cream! (with salt) I prefer to let it sit a little and get a flavour!

[Mom2boys]

the reason I have used milk and vinegar is that it will curdle the milk and thicken it like buttermilk when you need it but don't have any in the house......

I would use that liquid in smoothies too. I also would save it like whey to culture my beans and veggies when I cook the NT way.

Dandelion,
Tell us how your experiments work out.
I'm making bean and sauerkraut soup from lactofermented sauerkraut tonight and beans that were soaked in whey. Yum!