Undeniably Dairy Experience: Burbach Countryside Dairy

I have received a Mini Grant from Midwest Dairy to provide an #undeniablydairyexperience! I want to shed light on the dairy industry and the nutritional benefits of consuming dairy products. To do this, I plan to visit local dairies, purchase dairy products, and then create recipe highlighting dairy.

My second stop on the #undeniablydairyexperience was Burbach's Countryside Dairy located in Hartington, Nebraska. I was so excited to visit this dairy because I am a big fan of their glass bottled milks.

It was so fun to visit the farm and see their 180 cows that are responsible for the variety of dairy products sold throughout Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. The milk is on the shelf within 24-48 hours within being produced. I was able to walk through the processing facility where I asked the question, how do they produce the varying percentages of milks like 1%, 2%, Skim, and Whole? Lisa showed me the separator that spins the milk to separate the fat from the liquid milk. She then shared that the fat is added back to the milk in varying percentages to create the kind of milk they are looking to create.

I had someone ask what is the difference between all the different kinds of milk and this answered the question. The protein and calcium in milk stays the same, the difference is in the percentage of fat present.

As mentioned, Burbach's is known for it's flavored milk selection. They share a new flavored milk every season. For summer, it is Root Beer Milk. Other flavors include: banana, orange cream, caramel latte, and cotton candy (my personal favorite.)

You don't always see milk being distributed in glass bottles anymore, but Burbach's stands by the tradition. Their reasoning is that milk in glass bottles simply tastes better. I have to agree.

Lisa also showed me their newest piece of processing equipment, their yogurt maker! Last year Burbach's began producing yogurt and right now they have varieties of fruit on the bottom yogurt including blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, and vanilla.

I wanted to use their yogurt as the main focus of my recipe. With simple ingredients and local milk, it truly doesn't need anything added to it so I tried to think of something that
would only add to the yogurt. Store bought granola can be loaded with sugar, but this homemade version only has 1/3 cup in the entire recipe and is loaded with whole grain oats. I created two different granola recipes for two different Burbach's flavors.

 Blueberry Pecan Granola 
5 cups rolled oats
5 oz pecans, roughly chopped
1 cup dried blueberries
1/2 tsp salt
2 egg whites
1/3 cup canola oil
1/3 cup honey

Combine all dry ingredients and stir to combine. Combine all wet ingredients. Add to dry ingredients and stir to combine. Lay out evenly on a lined baking sheet. Bake at 300F for 45 min. When cooking time is complete, turn off oven. Cool completely in the oven. Break into clumps and store in airtight container. Serve with Burbach's Countryside Dairy Blueberry Yogurt.


Cherry Almond Granola 
5 cups rolled oats
1 cup raw almonds, roughly chopped
1 cup dried cherries, roughly chopped
1/2 tsp salt
2 egg whites
1/3 cup canola oil
1/3 cup honey
2 tsp almond extract

Combine all dry ingredients and stir to combine. Combine all wet ingredients. Add to dry ingredients and stir to combine. Lay out evenly on a lined baking sheet. Bake at 300F for 45 min. When cooking time is complete, turn off oven. Cool completely in the oven. Break into clumps and store in airtight container. Serve with Burbach's Countryside Dairy Vanilla Yogurt.  



Want to get some yogurt and milk of your own? Go to burbachscountrysidedairy.com to find their Yogurt and Milk in Glass Store List.