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Fun Ways of Cooking With Coconut Milk
It wasn't so long ago that coconut milk was a product found only at ethnic markets. Nowadays, it is sold practically anywhere. That's a good thing because coconut milk should be a staple in your kitchen. Its richness and velvety texture take any dish - sweet or savory - from delicious to utterly dreamy.
Coconut milk is a great substitute for dairy if you happen to have allergies or are lactose intolerance. It is easily digestible and can be added to practically any dish as you'll see below.
DIY COCONUT MILK
Forget the canned stuff! Homemade coconut milk taste so much better than anything that has been sitting on a shelf for months. If you don't have fresh coconut handy you can actually make the milk from dried unsweetened coconut (also known as desiccated coconut). Here's the how-to:
Coconut milk adds a subtle sweetness and creaminess to soups. A nice way to use it is by replacing cream in soups like tomato bisque and chowder, just keep in mind that you'll have to balance the saltiness of each dish. Start by trying this wonderfully aromatic Thai coconut soup with chicken and coriander.
COCONUT MILK AND FISH? ABSOLUTELY!
Coconut practically begs to be paired with seafood. Perk up your favorite seafood sauces by adding a few tablespoons of coconut milk and, if you are feeling a bit exotic, throw in a dash of spice. This is a combo that works every time. Taste it at home by preparing this Michelin-starred recipe for fish curry in coconut milk.
Add oomph to sautéed veggies with a dollop of coconut milk. It's an easy way to turn up the volume on meals, especially if you take the Thai approach and combine it with a bit of kefir lime, fish sauce and spices. Ready to give it a go? Make this spectacular recipe of Thai green veggies with coconut and rice noodles.
It's not surprising that coconut milk pairs nicely with sweet treats. Not only does it add welcome moisture to cakes but it is also excellent for making frosting. Want to try it for yourself? Whip up this insanely delicious carrot cake with a traditional cream cheese icing infused with coconut milk.
VEGAN WHIPPED CREAM
Did you know that you can make vegan whipped cream using the fat in coconut milk? Brilliant, right? We wish we had invented this ultimate way of using coconut milk but we'll settle for finding an awesome video that shows you how to make this decadent treat.
Coconut milk is a great substitute for dairy in vegan smoothies. Combined with coffee, almonds and avocado it yields an exquisite drink - try this recipe and see for yourself.
