Spicy curries, creamy onesPumpkin soupsand low-sugar puddings: Coconut milk proves to be a healthy alternative to milk and is ideal for anyone who wants to eat a lactose-free diet. In Asia, coconut milk is used extensively both in the preparation of main courses and in the preparation of desserts. But it also enjoys great popularity in Europe. The plant milk tastes very tasty, is healthy and quickly provides the body with energy. It can also be processed in many ways and can, for example, be whipped like cream. We give you some delicious recipe ideas that make cooking with coconut milk fun.
Is cooking with coconut milk healthy and what are the benefits of reduced-fat coconut milk?
Cooking with coconut milk originally gained popularity because coconuts are considered particularly healthy. They are said to have numerous positive effects on our bodies. No matter how good plant milk is for our health, we should use it sparingly when cooking. Because it is quite rich, which is good on the one hand because it also fills you up quickly. On the other hand, that is precisely why it is considered fattening. Nevertheless, coconut milk proves to be a good substitute for whipped cream, which can have a fat content of over 20%. Whois on a diet, you can choose the low-fat version. It contains significantly less fat and fatty acids than regular coconut milk.
Make your own coconut milk
If you want to eat healthily, you don't necessarily have to use canned coconut milk. Because you can easily make coconut milk yourself at home. For half a liter of coconut milk you need around 550 ml of water and 200 g of desiccated coconut. First, put the water in a pot and bring it to a boil. In the meantime, put the coconut flakes in a bowl and then pour the boiling water over them. Let them soak for about 10 minutes and then puree them with the immersion blender of a hand mixer on the highest setting. Check the consistency: if it is not smooth and creamy, simply let the coconut milk soak for another 10 minutes and then puree it a second time. Then spread the coconut mixture through a fine sieve or, even better, on a cloth and filter it. Hold the cloth over a container and press firmly. Collect the plant milk in the container and screw on the lid. Store in the refrigerator. If desired, you can sweeten the coconut milk with agave or maple syrup. When the coconut milk is ready, you should use it as soon as possible. Come heresome quick recipe ideas!
Whip coconut milk
You can not only use homemade coconut milk to prepare dishes, but also whip it like cream and use it to decorate desserts and cakes. Below are instructions on how to whip the coconut milk. Remember that the higher the room temperature, the faster the coconut milk will become liquid again.
Ingredients:
- 500 ml coconut milk
- 4 pinches of vanilla sugar
- 1 pinch of salt
Take the coconut milk out of the fridge. It should be very solid, so don't use freshly made coconut milk, but first store the coconut milk in a cold place overnight and only whip it the next morning. Pour the solid coconut milk into a cold bowl and add the vanilla sugar and salt. Beat the milk with the paddle of a hand mixer.
Recipe for vegan chickpea curry with coconut milk
The next recipe is ready in less than an hour.A vegan currywith coconut milk is not only very filling, but also very healthy. The variations of the classic recipe are simply endless, we offer you one with lots of vegetables and spices. Here are the necessary ingredients at a glance:
- a large onion
- a clove of garlic
- a carrot
- a zucchini
- 2 peppers, yellow
- 100g canned chickpeas, drained weight
- 2 teaspoons turmeric, ground
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp Coriander
- 1/2 tsp Curry paste
- 1 can (200 ml) coconut milk
Preparation:
1. Wash and clean the vegetables. Dice the onion, cut the zucchini into slices and the carrot into small pieces.
2. Put 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil or other vegetable oil of your choice in a pot and sauté the onion until translucent.
3. Add the vegetables while stirring and sauté for another 5 minutes. Season the dish and stir it. Reduce heat.
4. Add the coconut milk and curry paste. Let the dish simmer covered for 20 – 25 minutes.
5. The curry dishes are usually garnished with rice, but you can also prepare couscous.
Turkey curry with coconut milk
Surprise family and friends with a delicious turkey curry with coconut milk. These are the necessary ingredients at a glance:
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled
- 15 g fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
- half a red chili pepper
- 1 teaspoon coriander, ground
- 1 tsp coconut butter
- 1 large onion, peeled and diced
- 2 TL Turmeric
- 1 tsp cumin
- 200 g coconut milk
- 100 ml chicken broth
- 2 limes (one squeezed and one for garnish)
- 500 g skinless turkey meat, chopped into small pieces
- 150 g canned or frozen pears
- 3 tsp coconut flakes, toasted
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Reis
Preparation:
1. Finely puree the garlic cloves, ginger and chili pepper.
2. Put the coconut oil in a deep pot, heat it up and sauté the onion until translucent.
3. Add the garlic mixture and spices to the onion and sauté over medium heat for several minutes.
4. Add the coconut milk, the chicken broth and a little more water if necessary. Simmer the dish over medium heat for 10 minutes until the water evaporates and the sauce thickens.
5. Add the turkey and stir the dish.
6. Add the lime juice and pear.
7. Garnish with coriander, rice and coconut flakes.
Thai pumpkin soup with coconut milk
Next, we offer you a recipe for a delicious and filling Thai pumpkin soup with coconut milk. These are the necessary ingredients:
- 1 small onion, peeled and diced
- 1 chili pepper, deseeded and diced
- 2 tsp coriander, ground
- Turmeric, ground
- 4 kaffir lime leaves
- 2 tsp coconut oil
- 4 cups pumpkin flesh
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 tsp fish broth
- 1 liter vegetable broth
- 100 ml coconut milk
- 2 tsp lime juice
- Coriander leaves for garnish
Preparation:
1. Put coconut oil in a deep pot and sauté the onion until translucent. Add the herbs and kaffir lime leaves. Let them simmer over medium heat for 2-3 minutes.
2. Add the other ingredients, reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes. When the pumpkin is done, you can remove the pot from the heat.
3. Pour the soup into the blender in batches and puree it. Garnish the soup with coconut milk and fresh coriander leaves.
Chia pudding with coconut milk
Chia pudding with coconut milk is a healthy dessert that can be varied as desired. These are the necessary ingredients for the gluten, lactose and sugar-free dessert.
- 1/3 cup chia seeds
- 200 ml coconut milk
- 3-4 tsp maple syrup, honey or agave syrup to sweeten
- 1 TL for Van
- 1 pinch of sea salt
- 1/3 cup coconut flakes, unsweetened
- 1 mango, peeled and diced
Preparation:
1. Mix all ingredients except the mango cubes in a bowl. Cover the bowl with cling film and place it in the fridge. Let the chia seeds soak overnight and garnish the dessert with the mango cubes the next morning.
And this is how you can vary the dessert:
- Chia pudding with coconut milk and lemon zest
- Chia pudding with coconut milk and chocolate shavings and berries of your choice
- Chia puddinkg with coconut milk, oat flakes, dry fruits and nuts
- Chia pudding with banana and cardamom
Prepare cocktail with coconut milk
Not only can you cook and bake with coconut milk, you can also make delicious cocktails. Below we give you several suggestions on what you can combine coconut milk with.
1. Mojito with stevia, water, mint, white rum, lime juice and coconut milk.First, give stevia, water and fresh mint leaves in a small pot. Bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat and let the liquid simmer for about 10 minutes. Strain the liquid through a cloth and pour it into a bowl. Put the bowl in the cold and let it rest for several hours or put the bowl in the freezer for 15 minutes. Remove and stir in the white rum, coconut milk and lime juice. Pour the cocktail into a blender along with a handful of crushed ice and puree until smooth.
2. Pink cocktail. The ingredients: 1 hibiscus tea bag, 2 cups water, 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup, eight strawberries, halved, 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/2 cup reduced-fat coconut milk.
Preparation: Put the water in a pot and bring it to the boil. Pour 100 ml of water over the hibiscus tea bag, add the honey and half of the strawberries. After 4 minutes, remove the tea bag and let the mixture sit for another 20 minutes. Then add the orange juice and coconut milk and stir the whole thing. Pour crushed ice into drinking glasses and pour the cocktail over them. Garnish with the rest of the strawberries and serve slightly chilled.
Of course, you can also vary the cocktail recipes as you wish. However, don't forget that the coconut milk gives the cocktail a sweet note. A few teaspoons of lemon or lime juice will help balance the flavor.
Coconut milk is a popular ingredient in soups, Asian dishes, desserts and cocktails. Exotic, sweet and filling, coconut milk is very versatile. It is sold in cans in large supermarket chains, but anyone can make it themselves at home. You can also whip the coconut milk, but at higher temperatures it quickly becomes liquid again. Therefore it is less suitable for birthday cakes or for a party in the summer. It is used much more in puddings.
