Your properly fermented foods are NUTRIENT dense and loaded with probiotics. They have been well studied to improve gut health and the digestive system. This is especially true of the brine that is left behind in your ferments. One of my FAVORITE ferments to have on hand is the classic Dilly Garlic Carrot Sticks. They are kid friendly, party going veggie dip loving sticks that swim in a healthy amount of brine I get to repurpose.
Here are my top four favorite ferment brine uses:
#1 Have you seen the expensive probiotic shots lately? They are ferment brine, bottled up. I take a shot of brine on an empty stomach first thing every morning. This is part of my personal gut healing protocol and immune boosting protocol. As a bonus, ANY TIME a stomach virus comes knocking or food poisoning, this is my number one go-to. It kicks it for me EVERY TIME.
#2 Salad Dressing: A friend of mine was in a car accident and we stayed in their home for many weeks helping them care for their farm as they healed. While I sometimes ate salad, she served salad every other day! I grew up on chopped lettuce with a few tomatoes and salad dressing. She made salads with cheese, nuts, raisins, turkey meat and a plethora of other veggies. There was something for every part taste bud to feel tantalized by. I had two young children and even they learned to eat what was served and enjoy salad. (We are big salad eaters to this day thanks to her!) She made nearly all of her own salad dressings. When I started making kombucha and fermented veggies, I started incorporating these ferment juices into my dressings.
Basic Salad Dressing
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar (no added colorings or sulfites) or raw ACV
1/4 cup ferment brine
1/8-1/4 cup maple syrup (or sweetener of choice)
2 cloves minced garlic
Italian seasonings, onion powder, garlic powder, fresh pepper and sea salt to taste
Mix well. Toss with salad and serve.
Cilantro Lime Salad Dressing
2 avocados, seeds removed
1/2 bunch of fresh cilantro
2 cloves of minced garlic
1/4 cup of ferment brine
2 T raw apple cider vinegar
2 T maple syrup (or sweetener of choice)
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1/2 jalapeno pepper (optional)
Sea salt to taste
Blend on high until smooth. Add more brine until desired consistency. Toss with salad and serve.
#3 Stir it in to guacamole, hummus or home made ranch dressing.
#4 Give it to your pets or farm animals! Many animals benefit from probiotic support! We give it to our dog!