Our Butternut Squash Steak with Garlic Kefir Chimichurri is as gourd as it gets. Soft and tender, perfectly seasoned slices of grilled butternut squash lie beneath a layer of sautéed mushrooms and freshly prepared chimichurri. This recipe uses both Lifeway Kefir and Lifeway Farmer Cheese, giving it a double dose of gut-loving probiotics and loading it with protein, calcium, and vitamin D. If you’ve never had chimichurri, you’re going to love it. This Argentinian and Uruguayan sauce has a smoky, garlicky flavor that complements the mildly sweet, nutty notes of the grilled butternut squash. It’s so good!
Cultured Dairy: The Nutrition Benefits You Actually Need to Know
With increasing research linking the correlation between probiotics, gut health, and immunity, it’s no secret that the integrity of our gut is vital to our health. Although additional factors such as stress, antibiotic usage, and individual health conditions can contribute to the condition of our gut, a focus on healthy food choices is one of the easiest ways to support the microbiome.
Several studies have shown a strong association between the gut-brain-microbiota. Probiotics introduced to the gut have been found to support immunity, improve allergies, and improve digestion.
Studies have shown that reduced diversity of healthy gut bacteria during early years is associated with an increase in food allergies during school-age years. In addition, kefir made from whole-fat milk helps absorb key nutrients such as Vitamins A, D, E, and K. Vitamin K is important because it helps your bones absorb calcium. It’s important to know that kefir contains a special trio: vitamin D, K, and calcium – all three crucial elements to support bone health. Lifeway Farmer Cheese is also a great source of all these nutrients, just in a different format for all the cheese lovers out there.
Prebiotics + Probiotics = A Healthier You
Prebiotics are non-living, non-digestible carbohydrates that are a source of fiber that are naturally found in a variety of plant foods[b]. Your body actually can’t digest prebiotics, so they’re what probiotics feed off of to remain actively working in your digestive system. They help the digestive system by promoting the growth of good bacteria. Prebiotics and probiotics work together in balance to make sure our digestive system stays on track and regular. Research has found that consuming a variety of prebiotic and probiotic food sources may improve your body’s natural functions, including both your immune and digestive systems. Lifeway Oat contains both prebiotics and probiotics for optimal gut and brain health.
Prep Time: 15 mins Servings: 4-6Ingredients
- 1 large butternut squash
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Choice of steak seasoning, we used Montreal
- 8 oz crimini mushrooms
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- salt/pepper to taste
- Asparagus for side
- For Chimichurri:
- 2 cups loos-packed parsley
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 jalapeno, chopped
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup Organic Plain Whole Milk Kefir
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp liquid smoke
Directions
- Preheat grill to high. Cut each end off of the butternut squash and slice the squash into equal slices, about 3/4 of an inch thick and season each side generously with steak seasoning.
- Grill each side of the squash for about 8 minutes, or until well marked by the grill and squash is tender.
- Toss asparagus in olive oil, salt/pepper and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, or until reached desired texture.
- Toss mushrooms with olive oil, soy sauce, salt/pepper and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until mushrooms are heated.
- In a food processor, add in all ingredients for the chimichurri and blend until well incorporated.
- Plate the butternut squash by topping it with mushrooms and chimichurri and asparagus on the side. Top asparagus with crumbled farmer cheese and enjoy!
