What is Sour Cream?
Sour cream is a dairy product made when cream is mixed with special bacteria; the outcome results in a white, thick condiment. It is popular in many places around the world, particularly in Europe and North America. Its consistency is very smooth and thick, similar to Greek-Style yogurt. This product comes in a few different varieties, such as regular, light, and fat-free sour cream. There are also varieties of sour cream from other parts of the world, like Mexican Sour Cream, which has a mild flavor compared to traditional American Sour Cream.
What does Sour Cream taste like?
Sour cream has a milky rich flavor with a slight acidic tang. The taste is similar to creme fraiche and Greek yogurt.
How do you use Sour Cream?
Sour cream is very versatile. Commonly, it’s used as a topping for soups, stews, tacos, nachos, and more. It is a common topping for American chili beans and borscht, a popular soup in Eastern European and Russian cuisine. You can also use it as a base for different dips and dressings, like french onion dip, spinach dip, and ranch dressing. Sweet dishes can also benefit from the richness of sour cream. It makes a great addition to cheesecakes and pound cakes to add moistness.
Where do you buy Sour Cream?
You can buy sour cream at most grocery stores and it is found in the store’s dairy section, near cheeses and butter. Aside from the different varieties, you can also find sour cream products that have been pre-flavored that can be used as dips.
How do you store Sour Cream?
Store this product in the refrigerator at all times. . Once opened, it should keep for about two weeks or until its expiration date. As it ages, it will become thicker and a layer of liquid will begin to pool at the surface; mix this in with the rest of the cream or pour it out.
Fun fact about:
Sour cream is believed to have been invented in Eastern Europe in the early 20th century.
Did you know?
Even though the name suggests it, sour cream isn’t too sour at all. The name refers to the process of “souring” the cream to make the condiment.
Kids Are Great Cooks Recipes Using Sour Cream
In our Baked Potato video cooking lesson, we use sour cream as a topping.
Baked Potato Cooking Video Lesson For Kids
In our Creamy Cheesecake video cooking lesson we use Mexican cream which is similar to the traditional American Sour Cream.
Cheesecake Video Cooking Lesson For Kids
In our strawberries and cream video cooking lesson we use sour cream to make a creamy, delicious dessert.
How To Make Strawberries and Cream
Other Recipes Using Sour Cream
Potato Latkes
Popular in Jewish and European cuisine, latkes are potato pancakes served with sour cream and applesauce. To make them, shave potato with a box grater and combine it with seasonings, flour, and egg. Shape the potato mixture into patties and fry them in a cast-iron skillet with hot oil.
Cold Spinach Dip
This cold dip is perfect for serving with chips or raw vegetables. To make it, combine sour cream with cooked spinach, mayonnaise, and a packet of instant vegetable soup mix!
Pound Cake
The sour cream in a poundcake helps to add moistness and tenderness to an otherwise dense, decadent cake. First, cream butter and sugar together until fluffy. Then, add in eggs and vanilla extract, followed by dry ingredients like flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold in sour cream to the batter and place in a greased bundt pan or baking pan and bake in the oven.
