Asian cuisine cannot do without this healthy and fashionable product today. Coconut milk has gained acceptance in other parts of the world. Our compatriots also loved him. And that's great because coconut milk is a healthy drink that can be used in a variety of ways.
Coconut milk is not a liquid that you can drink by making a hole in the coconut. Coconut milk is a product obtained by processing the pulp of the fruit, turned into the well-known shavings. And what you drink from a coconut is called coconut water.
What you need to know about coconut milk?
Coconut milk contains 15-25% fat. It is obtained by pouring hot water over the pulp or crushed copra and straining through cheesecloth. This produces a white, aromatic liquid similar to milk. In our country it is usually sold in boxes and metal cans.
It is worth mentioning the medicinal properties of this product. First of all, it contains lauric acid, which has powerful antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Vitamins C, E, group B, as well as microelements: iron, selenium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus are also valuable in coconut milk. It contains fiber and protein.
Drinking coconut milk strengthens the immune system, has a beneficial effect on skin condition, slows down the aging process, regulates digestion, helps reduce fever, and alleviates asthma, osteoporosis and kidney stones.
This is a valuable product from the point of view of culinary possibilities. It is recommended for people who cannot afford cow's milk due to lactose intolerance.
100 g of coconut milk is 4 g of protein, 27 g of fat and 6 g of carbohydrates.
Uses of coconut milk
This product is quite popular, despite the fact that it is considered relatively new for our latitudes. Milk is used in different areas of life.
Medicine
Coconut milk is included in many folk recipes that are intended to get rid of various ailments. Some parts of the product may be contained in medical (allopathic) drugs. But, of course, this is no longer coconut milk in the usual sense, but only extracts, extracts, and a fine suspension.
Cosmetology
In this area, coconut milk has gained immense popularity. Various serums, shampoos, and masks based on coconut milk help strengthen hair roots, achieve shine, and enhance growth. This product is often included in creams, scrubs, lotions and masks for skin care. The product is good for creating products against wrinkles, stretch marks, and dry skin. Use coconut milk to get rid of acne and pimples. It perfectly disinfects and heals wounds.
Cooking
Of course, where would cooking be without coconut milk? This product takes its place of honor in this area! Coconut milk is added to various desserts and cocktails. It is used to prepare cold soups, sauces, and gravies. It is great for baking and preparing various mixes of vegetables and fruits. You can often find coconut milk in oriental side dishes. An incredibly delicious pastry cream is made from powdered sugar and coconut milk. It’s impossible to even list the entire list of dishes that may contain coconut milk.
For weight loss
Those losing weight have long taken note of the benefits of this milk. And they use it not only to create a low-calorie, fat-burning diet, but also to maintain skin tone, fight stretch marks and cellulite. Coconut milk is suitable for complex treatment of excess weight. There are methods and recipes for using this product to obtain a pronounced figure correction effect.
Household chemicals
Household detergents for washing and fabric conditioning are made from coconut milk. This product can also be included in detergents and cleaning products as a mild, safe disinfectant. Of course, coconut-based household chemicals are considered rare today. But if you wish, you can find options in which this product or its shares are present in small quantities.
Liquid or solid?
Good quality coconut milk should be velvety and white, not clear and whitish. Before purchasing, it also doesn’t hurt to study the composition.
Due to storage in the refrigerator, milk hardens - when we open the can, we see a white mass instead of liquid. This is not scary, moreover, some recipes require exactly this consistency.
However, most often the product is used in liquid form. How to return it if the milk has thickened? It’s very simple: you need to lower the jar into a bowl of hot water for about 10-15 minutes. This process can be accelerated if the jar is placed in a vertical position in some vessel (the water in it should reach 2/3 of the height of the milk), open it and stir the melted mass with a spoon.
Recipes for alcoholic cocktails with coke syrup
"Coconut Paradise"
Alcoholic cocktails with coconut syrup are made using Malibu liqueur. “Coconut Paradise” is a moderately strong drink with a pleasant milky taste.
Compound:
- 20 ml Malibu;
- 10 ml light rum;
- 100 ml milk;
- 100 g of creamy ice cream.
Recipe:
Combine all ingredients in a deep container and beat with a blender.
Pour the finished drink into a glass and garnish it with a slice of orange or pineapple. Drink a cocktail through a thin straw.
"Evening"
Citrus fruits go well with coconut liqueur. Such components are used to prepare the “Evening” cocktail.
Homemade product
You can buy coconut milk, or you can make it yourself. In the latter case, all you need is grated coconut (either fresh pulp or ready-made shavings will do) and water. Just fill a glass of shavings with water for several hours (or better yet, overnight) and put it in the refrigerator. The chips need to be thoroughly softened and saturated. The next day, put it in a blender, add water (about 4 glasses) and beat everything until smooth. Healthy milk is almost ready. All that remains is to strain it through cheesecloth to get rid of uncrushed pieces.
And here is an alternative method, using boiling water and hands instead of a blender.
- The shavings are placed in a blender and carefully and slowly poured with boiling water. Then mix and leave the coconut puree to cool.
- Holding the cheesecloth over a bowl, place the puree into it and squeeze out.
- Pour boiling water over the squeezed cake again and repeat the spin cycle. And then 1-2 more times.
If you put coconut milk in the refrigerator, within 24 hours the coconut milk and coconut cream will separate (into thinner and thicker parts). If you then shake the liquid, it will resemble liquid sour cream.
Residents of northern countries are increasingly including exotic foods in their diet. An example of this is coconut milk. It has only become widespread in the last decade. What motivates these innovators who promote its use?
Served to eat - non-trivial recipes
You can add an unusual touch to familiar dishes or prepare an exotic dinner using this product. How to use coconut milk in cooking is a question, by researching which you will discover many unusual and delicious recipes.
Thai soup.
Despite the exotic nature of the dish, all the necessary ingredients can be found in a regular supermarket: bean sprouts - 400 g, lime and pepper - 2 pcs each, ginger and cilantro - 30 g each, chicken (fillet) - 800 g, soy sauce - 80 ml ., chili – 2 pcs., coconut milk – 300 ml., garlic clove – 3-4 pcs., rice noodles – 50 g.
Cooking shouldn't be too difficult either. Salt a liter of water and set, add chicken and put on high heat. Bring to a boil, pour in all the coconut milk. At the same stage, add ginger, garlic (after chopping it), soy sauce, pepper and salt if necessary.
Reduce heat to medium and cook for at least 2 hours. Remove the chicken and cut it into pieces, return it to the broth. Now you can add the rest of the ingredients - bean sprouts, all the peppers, rice noodles, squeeze the juice from the limes. Cook everything for 30 minutes. A good cook always tastes it before serving, adding salt or pepper if necessary.
Shrimps.
A fragrant, spicy dish that will add a spicy touch to even the most ordinary dinner. Prepare all the necessary products: shrimp - 1 kg, coconut milk - 400 g, one sweet pepper, chili pepper - 3-4 pcs., garlic - 4 cloves, lime - 1 pc., green onions.
In a preheated frying pan, fry the bell peppers, add chili peppers, garlic and fry for another minute. Now you can add shrimp and milk, hold for 2 minutes and reduce heat. After 10 minutes, the liquid will evaporate a little, remove from heat and add lime juice. Then pour the finished soup into serving bowls and sprinkle with chopped green onions.
Thai chicken.
In the cuisine of the peoples of the world you can find all kinds of chicken recipes. In the Thai version, it turns out to be unusually aromatic with a pleasant piquant taste.
Ingredients: boneless chicken – 600 g, onion, a couple of cloves of garlic, vegetable oil (preferably refined), ginger, coconut milk – 220 ml, lime juice – 2 tablespoons each, turmeric, salt, pepper to taste.
Prepare the marinade: mix refined oil, pass the garlic through a crush, grate the ginger. In the same bowl place the chicken fillet cut into medium pieces. Leave to marinate for 1.5 - 2 hours in the refrigerator.
Heat a frying pan and fry a clove of garlic and chopped onion, add turmeric. Place the chicken and the marinade in a frying pan. When the pieces turn white, add coconut milk. Now you can reduce the heat and let the chicken soak for 15-20 minutes. The lid must be kept closed. The finished dish should be served hot, preferably immediately after cooking. Boiled rice is ideal as a side dish.
Benefits for the body
There are many questions associated with the use of coconut milk: what is the composition, what can be prepared, how to use it, how to make it at home and how it is made on an industrial scale. The answers to these questions should be systematized in order to know about the benefits and harms of coconut milk for the human body.
Compound
The reason is hidden in the composition. The list of vitamins and minerals it contains is extensive:
- more than twenty amino acids;
- vitamins of group B, A, E;
- cellulose;
- magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, calcium, iron and selenium in compounds;
- essential and fatty acids;
- antioxidants.
This set contains the secret of the beneficial properties of coconut milk.
Calorie content
The calorie content of coconut milk is worth mentioning separately. It is equal to 230 kcal. For comparison, the calorie content of condensed milk is 360 kcal, raisins are estimated by experts at 302 kcal. Calorie content is calculated per hundred grams of product, which means that when drinking a glass of milk, the body will receive almost 500 kcal. This figure will be twenty percent of the daily caloric intake of an adult.
You can buy canned coconut milk at the store.
When studying the distribution of BJU in coconut milk, a conclusion arises about a high fat content:
- saturated fats – 21 percent;
- proteins –2.3 percent;
- carbohydrates –5.5 percent.
How is it useful?
A feature of coconut, which is noted by nutritionists, is the absence of cholesterol. This is proof of the benefits of coconut milk for the body. But consuming saturated fats causes the body to produce cholesterol on its own. This contradiction gives reason to think about the benefits of coconut milk.
Fats are a source of energy for the body; it needs them. They are usually found in animal products. Coconut milk, having an impressive range of vitamins and minerals, and also being a plant product, does the important job of saturating the body with essential fats.
The micro and macroelements present in milk affect the proper functioning of digestion and strengthens bone tissue.
Is there any harm from using it?
But the coin has two sides, so, in addition to the benefits, it is worth talking about the harm. With rapid absorption, allergic reactions occur as a result of consumption, which lead to complications. It is not suitable for those who suffer from fructose intolerance.
Young children are a direct contraindication for use due to the risk of allergies. Not suitable for people who are overweight. People suffering from atherosclerosis and high cholesterol should be careful when consuming coconut milk. Is it possible to be allergic to bananas?
Harm of coconut milk
Like absolutely any other product, coconut milk is imperfect! There are a number of contraindications that should be taken into account when wanting to include coconut milk in your diet.
You should not try this product in the following situations:
- the presence of individual intolerance;
- fructose intolerance;
- intestinal disorders (diarrhea, constipation);
- acute period of hypertension;
- exacerbation of peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum.
It is not recommended to offer coconut milk to children under 2 years of age! In countries where coconut grows, children taste coconut pulp, water and milk at an early age. But the body of children born and growing up in countries where coconut is considered exotic is not prepared for an early introduction to such food. Therefore, it is better not to take risks.
Similarly, conditional contraindications include the last trimester of pregnancy and the lactation period in women. The fact is that the results of drinking coconut milk during these periods have been little studied. Serious allergic reactions in a newborn are possible, and this product can also cause intestinal upset in the baby.
If you have chronic or other diseases, you should consult a specialist about the permissibility of coconut milk in your diet.
How to do it at home?
The question arises of how to make coconut milk at home. Supermarkets most often sell canned products. Coconut milk and coconut water are not the same thing. The second is located directly inside the nut, and the first is artificially created from the pulp.
Is it possible to extract milk from coconuts yourself? The process seems complicated. Coconut's status as an exotic fruit leads to the fact that many are afraid to even think about how to make coconut milk themselves. There are only two ingredients for cooking:
Water is taken based on fat content.
- At the initial stage, the coconut is correctly and carefully split, and the juice and pulp are found inside. Juice is not involved in cooking.
- The pulp is crushed by grating or processing with a blender.
- The resulting mass is coconut flakes. The shavings are filled with water and left for half an hour.
- Then the mass is filtered.
- The resulting drink is poured into a suitable container. A glass of milk is usually prepared from one medium-sized coconut.
Chicken in coconut milk
- Cooking time: 1 hour 10 minutes.
- Number of servings: 6 persons.
- Calorie content of the dish: 110 kcal.
- Purpose: lunch, dinner.
- Cuisine: Asian.
- Difficulty of preparation: medium.
Adding juiciness to dry chicken fillet and giving it a pleasant, delicate taste is possible not only with the help of cream. Due to the fat content, sometimes it is not possible to use them. Chicken in coconut milk is prepared in a similar way, but the taste is slightly different. The recipe belongs to Asian cuisine, and Thais, who prefer spicy food, additionally add curry to add piquancy.
- breast fillet – 600 g;
- chicken broth - 1 glass;
- potatoes – 1 pc.;
- onions – 1 pc.;
- starch – 1 tsp;
- beans – 2 cups;
- bell pepper – 1 pc.;
- green curry paste – 2 tbsp. l.;
- grated ginger – 2 tsp;
- vegetable oil – 1 tbsp. l.;
- coconut milk.
- Cut the washed onions and potatoes into small pieces.
- Remove the seeds from the pepper and chop the vegetable into strips.
- Fry the fillet cut into pieces in oil for 5 minutes, adding salt. Place the finished chicken on a separate plate.
- Onions and peppers need to be cooked in the same frying pan for 3 minutes.
- Add curry paste, ginger and salt.
- Pour out the broth and add the potatoes. After boiling, cover the pan and cook for 5 minutes.
- Place the chicken pieces and cover with a lid. It will take a quarter of an hour to cook.
- Mix coconut milk with starch, pour the mixture into a dish.
- Place the beans. After waiting for it to boil, cover with a lid and simmer for 5 minutes.
Review Reviews
Reviews about the use of coconut milk are numerous:
- found in many Korean and Japanese cosmetics;
- applicable for masks that promote cell regeneration and fight signs of aging;
- has the effect of creating a protective film, which resembles the result of a facelift.
It is known to use milk when working with hair. It is suitable for all hair types, does not damage the scalp even with prolonged use, fights dandruff and significantly improves appearance.
Coconut milk is widely used in cooking. For Asians, there is no question of what to make with coconut milk. Desserts based on it are famous all over the world. In addition to them, first courses are widespread. In Asian countries, milk is regularly made at home. A soup called “Tom Yam” is prepared on its basis and is very popular. Chicken Curry of the classic recipe is prepared with coconut milk.
Porridge with coconut milk
- Cooking time: 10 minutes.
- Number of servings: 4 persons.
- Calorie content of the dish: 110 kcal.
- Purpose: breakfast.
- Cuisine: European.
- Difficulty of preparation: low.
When you need to prepare a tasty and healthy breakfast for your child, but you are allergic to cow’s milk, you can replace it with coconut milk. If desired, the drink can be further diluted with water or used in its pure form. Any cereal can be present in the recipe for porridge with coconut milk. Oatmeal seasoned with honey turns out very tasty.
- oat flakes – 250 g;
- coconut milk – 400 g;
- water – 400 g;
- honey - 1 tbsp. l.;
- walnut.
- Pour milk and water into a saucepan. Stir and wait until it boils.
- Transfer the cereal, reduce the heat and cook, stirring constantly.
- Determine readiness by consistency.
- Transfer the porridge to a plate, add honey and nuts.
Useful video
We invite you to watch a video about the benefits of coconut and how you can make coconut milk from it:
Five reasons why this product should have a place in your refrigerator, and three easy recipes using coconut milk.
Coconut milk is an underrated product in our latitudes. It is known mainly as an element of exotic Thai cuisine and a number of diets that involve the abstinence of certain foods of animal origin. In this case, coconut milk is an alternative to the usual cow's or goat's milk, cream or sour cream.
However, a delicate creamy drink with a slight sweetish taste has much more beneficial properties than just the ability to replace fermented milk products. Life hacker found out everything about the health benefits of coconut milk.
Coconut smoothie with berries
- With strawberries or raspberries and cereal . Place 1 banana, 1 cup of berries (strawberries or raspberries), ½ cup of oatmeal, sugar to taste in a blender bowl and pour in a glass of coconut milk. Beat. Pour into transparent glasses, garnish with fresh berries and mint leaves on top. According to the recipe, strawberries and raspberries can be used both fresh and frozen.
- With kiwi and strawberries . Mix half a banana in a blender with diced kiwi (1 pc.), sweet strawberries - 5-7 pcs. and a glass of coconut milk (can be replaced with regular milk).
- With raspberries . Blend a glass of coconut milk, sliced banana, half a glass of strawberries, raspberries and a teaspoon of honey in a blender until smooth. Try it. If unsweetened, add a little more honey and stir again. If using unfrozen berries, you can add a few ice cubes.
- With strawberry . For one serving you will need a banana, chopped into slices, 10-12 strawberries (fresh or frozen), 100-120 ml of coconut milk. Beat the ingredients using a blender. A healthy and tasty drink is ready.
The amount of liquid can be increased or decreased, it all depends on how thick the drink you prefer.
With blueberries . For one serving of smoothie with coconut milk, blueberries and banana you will need:
- one peeled orange;
- sliced banana;
- a glass of blueberries;
- a glass of coconut milk;
- a few ice cubes.
How to prepare: Beat all ingredients until smooth. Add ice last.
If you want to get a drink with a more delicate consistency, then instead of whole blueberries, you can use only their pre-squeezed juice (for example, in a blender) without pulp.
With raspberries . Place half a glass of berries, 100 ml of natural yogurt, 100-150 ml of coconut milk, one sliced banana, 1-2 teaspoons of honey and a few fresh mint leaves into a blender bowl. Shake and pour into glasses. Decorate.
Milk can be used either purchased in cans or bags, or you can prepare it yourself. To do this, drain the water through one of the holes in the lower part of the fruit, then split it into two parts.
Using a sharp knife, remove the coconut flesh, grate it on a fine grater, place it in a container and pour boiling water in a 1:1 ratio so that the water level is level with the grated shavings. After half an hour, strain and squeeze the raw materials. Keep refrigerated. The product has a limited shelf life.
Benefits of coconut milk
First, let's define the concepts. Coconut milk is not at all the same water that splashes inside a whole tropical nut. That liquid is called coconut water, consists of almost 95% water itself and contains practically no fat or other nutrients.
Milk is a mixture of coconut pulp and water carefully processed to a homogeneous mass. Lifehacker has already written about how you can make coconut milk yourself.
The result is a high-calorie product with a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and microelements. So, after drinking one cup (240 ml), you will receive Coconut Milk Health Benefits and Uses:
- 552 kilocalories;
- 57 g fat;
- 5 g proteins;
- 11% Daily Value of Vitamin C;
- 22% Daily Value for Iron and Magnesium;
- 18% Daily Value for potassium;
- 21% Daily Value for Selenium.
In addition, you will completely cover the body’s daily need for manganese. Here's what this fatty-vitamin-mineral cocktail does to your health.
You are losing weight
For many, the word “fat” evokes a strong association with excess weight, but in this case, fats, on the contrary, contribute to weight loss. Sounds absurd? No.
Coconut milk contains mainly polyunsaturated fats (including the famous essential omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9), which are very beneficial for metabolism. But that's not all. About half of all fatty acids are lauric acid. This substance belongs to the category of so-called medium-chain fatty acids, which have one unique feature: from the digestive tract they go straight to the liver, where they are immediately used to produce energy or ketones (these substances are the main “fuel” for the brain).
Therefore, coconut fat has much less chance of turning into fat reserves - the body uses The Properties of Lauric Ac > it almost instantly.
You get smarter and more productive.
This is how the already mentioned polyunsaturated fats omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 work, as well as lauric acid, an energy supplier for the brain.
