Coconut Milk Overview
The Many Uses and Benefits of Coconut Milk
"Coconut milk" can mean several different things. Many people confuse it with the liquid found inside a coconut; that is most commonly known as "coconut water". Coconut milk, or coconut juice, as called for in recipes, is taken from the meat of the coconut. The fresh meat can be squeezed directly (this is usually called coconut cream), or it can be grated and mixed with hot water and then squeezed, even when dried. The first squeezing is known either as coconut cream as well, or 'thick' coconut milk. The second or even third time it is soaked in hot water and squeezed is known as 'thin' coconut milk. It can easily be made at home without too much trouble, or or it can be bought from the store, either canned or frozen.
Despite being somewhat high in saturated fat, coconut milk is very healthful, including several important nutrients, that can be hard to get in sufficient quantities elsewhere in the areas of the world that coconut milk is most commonly used.
What is Coconut Milk Used For?
It is used in both drinks and in food (both sweet and savory), and is most common in Southeast Asian foods, such as Thai, where it is used as the base for almost all their curries. The 'thick' milk or cream is used mostly for desserts and thick sauces with a more delicate flavor, whereas the 'thin' milk is used for soups and general cooking. Some recipes even call for both kinds.
Some of the common uses include: drinks (like Piña Coladas), sweet soups, curries of all sorts, to cook rice in (both sweet and savory), and many desserts such as puddings (including tapioca) and frozen desserts like coconut ice cream. It can also be substituted in many recipes that call for regular milk, and can even be used as the base for yogurt.
How Does One Use Coconut Milk?
If using coconut milk from a can, be sure to shake it well before opening. Once the can is opened, or if using fresh coconut milk, it loses its delicate flavor quickly, and can even go sour, so it should not be allowed to stay at room temperature long; keep any unused portion in the refrigerator, where it will last about 3-4 days. It also freezes very well, preserving the flavor much longer. It is even possible to freeze small amounts in an ice cube tray, yielding convenient small portions to use in recipes, or even to use in place of regular ice for a wonderful smoothie.
Many savory dishes that use coconut milk call for the milk to be 'cracked' first; that means that bringing the milk to a boil so that the oil and water separate, then continuing to simmer it until most or all of the water cooks off, leaving basically just coconut oil, which is then used to fry the food.
Remember when using coconut milk, that it is fairly heavy in saturated fat, and so should not be overused, but in moderation, can make a wonderful addition to many dishes!
For a few delightful ideas on dishes to use coconut milk in, read Coconut Milk Recipes, including pina coladas, chicken curry, and more!
Coconut Milk Recipes can be Surprisingly Healthy
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