Coconut comes in many forms and has different benefits for each. There are so many coconut products on the market now and all are readily available.
It’s a useful ingredient to have in your pantry, and offers a dairy-free option to cooking. If you can’t tell your coconut milk from coconut cream or don’t know when to use coconut oil, then this easy guide to cooking with coconut is for you.
Coconut oil for frying (and beauty!)
Beloved by beauty editors for its super-moisturising powers for both skin and hair, it is also used in cooking. Why not try one of these 8 ways to incorporate coconut into your beauty regime?
Dessicated coconut for baking
Add dessicated coconut to the cake mix and use coconut cream for the icing.
This is the dried and shredded flesh, often used in baking. Most supermarket brands are sweetened, but health food stores will sell unsweetened varieties.
Coconut milk for a dairy-free milk alternative
The liquid extracted from the flesh, for use in curries and soups. Try It makes a dairy free alternative for smoothies too.
Coconut cream for cooking
This contains less water than the milk but is used in similar ways. Use it to make this mango, passion fruit coconut ice recipe, as a healthy alternative to ice cream. Or try this coconut slaw recipe. And like coconut milk, coconut cream can be used in soups and curries.
Coconut cream and milk for curry recipes
One-pan Thai-style chicken recipe
Dairy-Free Thai Style Pork and Coconut Curry recipe
TOP TIP: if a curry recipe calls for regular cream, milk or yoghurt, use coconut cream or milk as a substitute.
Dried coconut for snacking
This is often sold in snack packs and is the dried flesh, but it’s not as dry as the desiccated variety.
Coconut water for hydration
It is the clear liquid found inside green coconuts, and is high in electrolytes, which means it makes you rehydrate quickly – faster than with water. It is also high in potassium, with no fat. Try it over ice or with a splash of fresh lime juice.
DISCLAIMER: Before starting any diet, you should speak to your doctor. You must not rely on the information on this website/newsletter as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.
