With just a few bites of this Mediterranean Toast, you can transport yourself to somewhere bright and sunny near the Mediterranean Sea. While the area is known for its breathtaking views and timeless culture, it’s the culinary flair that has a soft spot in our hearts. Olives (and olive oil), tomatoes, hummus, and fermented dairy products like kefir and cheese are cherished in Mediterranean countries for their health benefits and versatility in the kitchen.
The Benefits of Cultured Dairy for Better Health:
Research continues to show the importance of eating healthy foods, including cultured dairy such as kefir, for optimal digestion and gut health, a strong immune system, and to support the microbiome. Fermented foods like kefir hold important value in this line of research due to the link between the gut-brain axis and overall health. Specifically, kefir has been shown to help diversify the microbiome, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, support healthier blood sugar levels, and improve satiety since the bioavailable protein it contains triggers the release of GLP-1.
Lifeway Kefir is packed with a variety of vital nutrients important for overall health, including bone and muscle health; these include vitamin D3, K, calcium, and vitamin B12. Along with our probiotic-rich kefir, Lifeway also offers artisan-made Farmer Cheese,a creamy, high-protein cheese made with live and active cultures to support healthy muscles and a healthy microbiome. Lifeway Farmer Cheese is easy to spread, free of gums and thickeners, and contains no added salt or sugar for optimal health benefits.
Ingredients
- 1 slice of sourdough bread
- 2 tbsp. Lowfat Plain Kefir
- 1/4 cup red pepper hummus
- 1/4 tsp. garlic pepper seasoning
- handful of cherry tomatoes, sliced
- handful of Kalamata olives. sliced
- Toppings: red pepper flakes, black pepper, and/or additional garlic pepper etc.
Directions
- Toast the sourdough bread.
- In a small dish, mix plain Lifeway Kefir and red pepper hummus together with garlic pepper seasonings, then spread on top of the bread.
- Add sliced tomatoes and olives, then top with red pepper flakes, black pepper and/or garlic pepper if desired. Enjoy!
