Welcome and welcome to Paulina Kitchen! Today we bring you a recipe that is, above all, an ingredient for other recipes since it is used for various types of preparations: we are talking about Buttermilk .
To get all doubts, we are going to explain well what Buttermilk , also known as milk serum or butter serum . We are going to navigate its origin, its multiple uses in the kitchen, the variations that exist in different regions, and a recipe to prepare at home to give a twist to the recipes they like best.
Content table
About the buttermilk
Buttermilk , which means butter or butter milk a byproduct during butter elaboration (butter). Its flavor is soft and slightly acidic and its texture is denser than common milk.
Despite its name, it does not contain butter in its composition which can lead to some confusion. The true essence of this butter milk lies in its content of lactic acid that provides its characteristic flavor and its culinary properties.
The origin of Buttermilk and its cultural expansion
This cream has a rich and old story that dates back to ancestral times. It is believed that it originated in the rural regions of Europe where the butter was made at home in a traditional way.
During the process of agitation of the cream to obtain butter, the remaining liquid became butter whey . This practice has remained over the centuries and has spread throughout the world which has resulted in variations and various culinary uses.
As the agricultural communities expanded, the use of Buttermilk spread through different regions of the world. In Europe it began to be used in bakery, pastry and in the preparation of sauces and soups.
In the United States, it became an essential ingredient in southern cuisine , used, for example, the famous recipe of " fried chicken " and the preparation of biscuits.
Regional variations of Buttermilk
Over the years, different regions developed variations in this cream. For example, in Ireland, the "Cultured Buttermilk" is obtained through milk fermentation and is used in dairy products such as kefir.
In India, the " lassi " is a refreshing drink made with yogurt and buttermilk , often aromatized with spices.
With the industrialization of dairy production, the butter whey began to occur commercially through the controlled fermentation of skim milk. This commercial version is more uniform in flavor and texture than butter serum , but it is also much more expensive.
Buttermilk uses
Buttermilk is a versatile ingredient that is used in a wide variety of recipes, since its soft acidity provides a balance of flavors in both sweet and salty dishes .
Some popular ways of incorporating it into the kitchen are:
- In pastry: butter whey is a fundamental ingredient in the preparation of biscuits (biscuits), muffins , cookies, pancakes and cakes. Its acidity reacts with sodium bicarbonate to create an exceptional spongy texture. Its use is similar to the baking or yeast powder.
- As a salad dressing: as creamy dressing can contribute a lot of flavor and texture.
- Marinados: Butter milk is an excellent marinated for meats. Its acidity tender the proteins and provides a delicious taste.
- Soups, sauces and stews: This sour milk allows many recipes, even in dishes such as curry sauce , you can replace yogurt with butter milk .
How to make buttermilk or butter milk
Making this butter milk at home is much simpler than it is believed, and requires only two ingredients: milk and acid. The acid element can be a spoonful of lemon or vinegar juice (white or apple), which is poured on a cup of milk and stir.
This product can be kept in the refrigerator for about a week. Although it looks lumpy, or that it seems cut milk, it is normal. It is only enough to stir it a little to make a more creamy consistency.
Summary
This is a liquid similar to milk but thicker, very appointed in some recipes, especially those that come from North America but also from European regions. It is basically a kind of slightly fermented acid milk with the help of lemon or vinegar.
Now let's see an easy recipe to make homemade buttermilk.
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Buttermilk recipe
Yield: 1 cup
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup of milk
- 1 tablespoon of lemon or vinegar juice (white or apple)
How to make buttermilk step by step
- Place the milk in a container.
- Add the lemon juice or vinegar and stir well.
- Let the mixture stand at room temperature for 10/15 minutes.
- Once ready, keep in a closed bottle in the refrigerator.
