GAPS Diet is a microbiome restoration diet not only for the gut flora but also for 90% of all cells and all genetic material that our body is made of.
Therefore, properly prepared fermented foods we call Probiotic Foods are a very important part of the diet. The properly made sauerkraut is a good example.
Ingredients:
1 medium-sized white or Red or both mixed cabbages cored and shredded
1-2 tbsp sea salt
Option to add: 1-4 tablespoons whey or 6 once Shio-Koji (Please make sure that you do not have an allergy or food intolerance to those probiotic foods.)
Tools you need, please make sure that all the tools are Squeaky Clean!
- Fermenting pot – you can choose from Maison Jar, stoneware pots, or Harsch crock. The first time I used the Harsch crock as you see below. But later I found that a Maison jar was easier to use for me.
- Bowl
- Shredder (If you want. I use a kitchen knife.)
Instruction:
Core and shred the cabbage thinly. Put all the ingredients into a big bowl. Mix everything and mush and massage till the cabbage juice comes out. If the cabbage is not juicy enough, you can add a little water. If you add either whey or shio-koji, those strengthen the good bacteria to help the cabbage not be spoiled.
Put a weight on the top so that the entire cabbage is completely covered by the juice. If you need, you can add some water (make sure they are mixed well together.) If a piece of cabbage is above the juice, entire pickles have more chance to be spoiled. However, during the process, if you find a mold on the surface, you may still rescue the rest of the sauerkraut by skimming and cleaning the molded surface. Then add some salt. Or if you use either whey or shio-koji as part of the ingredients, you can also add whichever you use.
Cover (make sure the mixture can breathe because they need to release gas.) And keep the jar at room temperature for 1~2 weeks till the cabbages are thoroughly fermented. If you use a Maison Jar, you can do this as shown in the photo below.
If you use stoneware or Harsch crock, move the sauerkraut into a glass jar.
Cover the metal lid and put it into the refrigerator. You can eat them soon. But aging makes mild and better taste.
Especially for GAPS people, make sure the sauerkraut is fermented thoroughly.
The juice produced by the fermentation is great for your health. So do not waste. You can keep the juice in a separate glass jar. You can drink just 1 or 2 tablespoons as a remedy when you have bad digestion or are sick. Or you can drink for your forever beauty and youth.
While you are having diarrhea, stop eating the sauerkraut or the juice. But after the diarrhea stop, then this is a great remedy for your probiotic healing.