Warning, sad coconut story ahead…
Have you learned about all the health benefits of getting more coconut in your diet (or on your skin)? If so, please share all your coconut ideas, recipes, or tips in today’s Real Food Wednesday blog carnival! (More on how to do that below. Also, Ann Marie & I alternate hosting Real Food Wednesdays – be sure to check below to find out about upcoming topics.)
MY SAD COCONUT STORY (not really)
I went to the store Saturday to get the stuff to make a new fish recipe and needed some flaked coconut. I’ve only recently begun to like more and more foods with coconut, so I had never bought it before. I found out that the bagged kind is full of preservatives! I just couldn’t do it. (I’m assuming there is organic flaked coconut to be found somewhere?) So I bought a whole coconut, much to Kent’s dismay, and being the great guy he is, he showed that coconut who was boss. It took a while, but he got the milk out (and I used some to make the kids’ smoothies for breakfast), he chopped it open, peeled it (what a pain!) and shredded it while I threw the rest of the dinner together.
Here’s the kicker…
After all that, none of us liked it. However, it may have been because of an eensy weensy little problem. I started the recipe an hour before we planned to eat, and then realized it was supposed to marinate for a few hours. Oops. That would probably make a big difference…ya think? (Side note: Kent has only recently been willing to try eating fish, and heck if I can make it a way that we all like – I stink at making fish! And I can’t find decent fish around here anyway, it’s all farm-raised.)
SO MUCH FOR MY COCONUT RECIPE TO SHARE
Looks like my coconut contribution for RFW will have to be what you can find on this coconut page, which has info on the best deals on coconut oil, recipes, and other stuff, too.
HERE’S HOW YOU JUMP IN ON ALL THIS CRAZY FUN:
- If you do NOT have a blog, comment below with your ideas, tips & recipes.
- If you DO have a blog, use Mr. Linky below to link your coconut post to this one. ***BE SURE to include a link back to this post, so your readers can benefit from all the information, too. (Your link back also helps Ann Marie & I to grow our blogs.)
UPDATE: Mr. Linky is working now!
PREVIOUS TOPICS:
By the way, it’s not too late to add your link or your comment to one of these past topics! ***If you add your link, though, be sure to comment too, otherwise we won’t know to look – new comments have email notifications, but new links don’t.
- Healthy fast food (last-minute meal ideas)
- Real Food on a Budget
- Low-Carb Ideas
- Gluten-Free Real Food
- Rookie Tips from YOU (advice for beginners)
- Recipes using nutritious bone broth
COMING SOON:
- Feb 25 @ Cheeseslave: Real Food Testimonials! (Share Your Success Stories!)
- Mar 4 @ Kitchen Kop: Your best time-saving Kitchen/Nutrition Tips
- Mar 11 @ Cheeseslave: Kid-Friendly Real Food – Healthy Food Kids Love!
- Mar 18 @ Kitchen Kop: Natural Body Care Products for Real Foodies
- Mar 25 @ Cheeseslave: Growing Real Food (What Are You Planting?)
- Don’t forget to check out the best deals on coconut oil!
- Does all this talk of coconut oil have you wondering about cod liver oil? No? Well look this over anyway please, we all really should be taking it.
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{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
Carrie @ The Thrifty Oreganic 02.18.09 at 2:37 am
Hi Kel,
I don’t see Mr.Linky up, so I thought I’d post my URL here in the comments section. Perhaps you can let me know when Mr. Linky is up and I’ll re-submit:
http://oreganicthrifty.blogspot.com/2009/02/real-food-wednesday-best-loved-coconut.html
Thanks! I’m sorry about that coconut fiasco! That sounds really complicated! But yes, you can buy organic, sulfite-free flaked coconut in health food stores
Carrie
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Kimberly Hartke 02.18.09 at 3:15 am
http://hartkeisonline.com/2009/02/18/pina-colada-kefir-smoothie/
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Freddo 02.18.09 at 4:59 am
Hi Kelly,
I’ve posted this recipe before in your “Health Benefits of Coconut” post, but it’s too good not to repeat! I’ve adjusted the recipe a little since the last post. I’m using honey now instead of maple syrup. For some reason the maple syrup made the chocolates stick to the mold and made them hard to remove. Honey gives a much better result. Anyway, this is my family’s absolute favourite way to get our coconut oil:
1/2 cup of Raw Organic Cacao Powder
1/4 cup of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Raw Organic Honey to taste (I usually use about 2-3 big teaspoons)
Mix all ingredients together until very smooth. Place in chocolate molds or ice cube tray and place in the fridge for an hour or so. Bang them out and enjoy!
Freddo
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Betsy 02.18.09 at 6:15 am
Kelly, you can get big tubs of flaked and shredded coconut from Tropical Traditions. I got both when they were on sale a while back. I need to use them more, though – I have an enormous amount on hand. Today’s recipes should be helpful.
Sorry about the fish.
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Michaelp 02.18.09 at 6:51 am
Soak the fish in the coconut milk a few hours, then broil till fish is done. Any mild whitfish done this way will taste like lobster. In fact it is called poor man’s lobster. Dip the fish in butter.
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Shannon 02.18.09 at 7:14 am
Still no Mr. linky, so here is my contribution
http://www.nourishingdays.com/?p=1000
My favorite coconut flour bread.
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Kelly 02.18.09 at 7:14 am
Trying to figure out what’s going on with Mr. Linky, sorry everyone!
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Tracy 02.18.09 at 7:15 am
Hi Kelly,
Whenever I make cookies for my kids school lunches I always substitue 1/2-1/4 cup coconut flour for the whole wheat amount. The kids don’t know and gobble them up.
School lunch cookies
The Wet Stuff: 1 Stick butter melted and cooled
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup sugar
The dry stuff: 1/4 cup coconut flour
1/4 cup Almond flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
pinch salt
1/2 t baking soda
Mix wet stuff and dry stuff in seperate bowls. Then add wet to dry stirring just until moistened (like muffin batter) Roll into balls and place on parchment lined cookie sheets. I do top with 3 or 4 chocolate chips. Bake at 375 for 9-10 minutes or just till edges of cookies brown. Let cool 2 minutes on cookie tray before removing to wire rack
Coconut oil bark or candy
1 cup coconut oil that is solidified
1/2 cup butter
1 T vanilla
1/4-1/3 cup honey
Blend with hand mixer. Spread in 9X13 pan , freeze , then break apart. Or line mini muffin tray with paper cups and put 1 teaspoon in each of the mixture, freeze and enjoy bite size candies
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Megan (USWM) 02.18.09 at 7:47 am
Hi everyone! Here’s my post for Tropical Muffins, and yes, they’re made with organic shredded coconut-no added junk here!
http://uswellnessmeats.blogspot.com/2009/02/tropical-muffins.html
Enjoy!
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Jenny 02.18.09 at 8:17 am
Oooh Coconut! We love it here. These recipes are looking good this week.
Here’s my contribution: http://nourishedkitchen.com/2009/02/classic-coconut-recipes/
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Liz 02.18.09 at 8:17 am
Hi Kelly… not so much a recipe, but a change I’ve made. Whenever I make banana bread I substitute coconut oil for the butter and then we spread butter on our slices of bread when it’s done. I’ve also successfully substituted coconut oil for butter in brownies and cookies. I found my cookies weren’t quite as soft, so now I go half and half with the butter. I know these are sweet treats, but butter seems easy to eat and the coconut oil has been more of a challenge. Besides baking and sauteeing, I also stir coconut oil into my oatmeal and add it to smoothies. I have yet to try coconut flour, but it’s next on my list. Lastly, I found organic shredded coconut without sweeteners or preservatives at Meijer. It’s not with the other coconut, but farther down the aisle with some other organic baking products.
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Kelly 02.18.09 at 8:21 am
Mr. Temperamental Linky is working, pleeeeeease will you go back and add your links now???????
Sorry for the trouble.
Great recipes and tips so far, guys, thank you!!!
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Debbie 02.18.09 at 8:22 am
Not a “recipe,” but I put coconut oil in my cups of coffee each morning along with raw whole milk. Soooo yummy AND my lips get a nice moisturizing treatment!
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Joyful Mama 02.18.09 at 8:35 am
All the recipes sound so yummy!!!!
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Nancy 02.18.09 at 8:57 am
My recipe is similar to Freddo’s, but uses maple syrup instead of honey. I don’t know if you can taste the honey, but you can’t taste the maple syrup. It is just barely sweet, like dark chocolate. And the Freddo’s uses raw cacao powder, but mine uses regular cocoa powder (I use dutch cocoa which is darker). I know raw cacao would be much better for you than regular cocoa, but I haven’t taken that step (yet). I’m giving the basic recipe, but I usually make it in larger batches, and I almost always add stuff to it….coconut, almonds, pecans, etc. It actually becomes a filling snack instead of just a “candy-ish” treat.
Coconut Chocolate
1/4 cup coconut oil, gently melted, but not too hot
2 tablespoons maple
3 tablespoons cocoa
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Combine and pour into a pan (or ice cube trays as Freddo does). Freeze till firm and pop out. Break into pieces and store in the refrigerator.
When I add coconut or nuts they are always cold as I store them in my freezer. This makes the oil firm up and I can drop the mixture by spoonfuls onto waxed paper or I can roll them in my hands and flatten them. More filling and less messy than bark. I’ll try them in ice trays soon.
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Julie 02.18.09 at 9:05 am
Thanks so much for all the recipes. I am very interested in the “Poor Man’s Lobster” recipe from Michael. Here in New England “Poor Man’s Lobster” is a fish called Monk Fish, which has become expensive so it’s really not “Poor Man’s Lobster” anymore. To be able to prepare a mild white fish (I’d use Haddock out here) by soaking it in coconut milk and then cooking sounds delicious! My mouth is watering.
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Laura 02.18.09 at 9:48 am
My regular grocery store has a small selection of wild caught fish which was frozen on the boat. I figure frozen on the boat is better than not so fresh at the fish counter. Maybe your grocery store has something like that in the freezer section? I’m slowly learning to like fish myself, so I’m not an expert on how to cook it. So far, it really doesn’t seem to be that difficult, though. I like the Grilled Swordfish with cliantro marinade in NT, and swordfish is one of the filets I can get at the store.
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mel 02.18.09 at 10:37 am
These recipes look so good. I can’t wait to try fish in coconut milk. Why didn’t I think of that? Coconut milk is so good as a thickener in curries- which my family loves! I’m so excited to get to the end of the day to read all the recipes. And then, the fun really starts- trying them! I love coconut!
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Nancy 02.18.09 at 12:21 pm
Another thought…(there may be several before the day is out!)….
I have been using coconut oil for 2 1/2 years now. During the initial adjustment phase, I had some in my fam who balked at the taste in many of my main dish recipes. We are Southern folks who aren’t really interested in adding much Thai foods to our fare! ;D Anything sweet was fine, and also chicken recipes, but we just didn’t like it in beef or tomato based dishes. I found that if I sauted onions in the coconut oil first, I could use it in just about anything…beef, chicken, spaghetti sauce, nearly anything without there being the telltale coconut/sweet-ish flavor. At this point everyone has adjusted, and it’s not even an issue anymore.
I say this to encourage those who are wondering how they will incorporate it in to more main dishes. Saute some onions in a cup or so of oil and strain the onions out if you aren’t crazy about having visible onions in your dish. Then store the oil in the frig and use as needed. Gradually, you won’t even need to do this, and the coconut oil will become a more significant part of your family’s normal foods, even their favorites!
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Holly Young 02.18.09 at 1:44 pm
Kel,
In all fairness, I think you should post the coconut salmon recipe. I thought it was fabulous, even my non-fish eating family liked it. The proper marinating time and the lack of frustration from gathering your own coconut may have changed your opinion. I looked quickly thru your topic list (recipes, coconut,) and couldn’t find the recipe that others would be able to try it and judge for themselves.
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Kelly 02.18.09 at 2:05 pm
OK, Holly, I’ll go find it. I honestly was blaming myself, not the recipe!
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Rosy 02.18.09 at 4:36 pm
Coconut curry chicken
2 boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 tbsp coconut oil
I can coconut milk
2 tbsp green curry paste
1 onion
1 head cauliflower
Saute onions in a large pan with coconut oil. add coconut milk, chicken, curry paste, and simmer until chicken is cooked. While chicken is cooking steam cauliflower. When chicken is cooked shred with a fork. Add chicken back to curry sauce and serve over cauliflower. Super yummy!
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Alyss 02.18.09 at 8:52 pm
I posted my recipe for – what else – Thai Curry! Yum yum yum.
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Stacey 02.18.09 at 9:28 pm
Oh dear, Kelly, it looks like we’re in the same boat…I mistakingly decided to try a NEW recipe for this week’s carnival (coconut shrimp), and we hated it, too! And I LOVE coconut, always have! (Don’t like shrimp, though.) Now I’m going to look at everyone else’s recipes…
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Emerald Green 02.18.09 at 10:37 pm
I hope I’m not too late – just posted a coconut chutney recipe!!
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Kelly 02.18.09 at 10:37 pm
Liz, wow, listen to you, it’s fun to hear about you getting used to the yummy saturated fats!
Debbie, I want to try coconut oil in my coffee, but I’m scared! I love it so much how it is……..maybe in the morning I’ll try just a little.
Nancy, GREAT tip on the onions.
Here’s the coconut salmon recipe from Cindy at another post:
I have a great coconut salmon recipe to share. (And I can’t find where you asked for them! So here goes)
COCONUT SALMON
1.5 lb Salmon (cut in serving sizes)
2 c orange juice
7 oz. shredded coconut
1 egg (beaten)
Marinate salmon in OJ for up to 8 hours.Dip salmon in egg, roll in coconut, place on baking sheet. Bake in 375 oven 15 to 18 minutes.(Until fork can flake salmon apart.) ENJOY!
Dipping sauce:
3 T. orange marmalade
1 T. Dijon mustard
Heat through in a saucepan and serve on the side.
Holly’s family loved it…even Spencer!
Sorry, it’s getting late or else I’d reply to every single comment – I love reading all of them! Thanks so much everybody!
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Kelly 02.18.09 at 10:49 pm
One more comment… Rosy, I love that idea of serving your dish over cauliflower, how tasty and LOW CARB!
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Nancy 02.19.09 at 9:40 am
Debbie, if you drink a little cream in your coffee it’s not as noticeable that there is oil floating on the top. I either take a little cream off my raw milk or use a dribble of whole/whipping cream. I drink about half a cup first with cream and about 2 teaspoons coconut oil. Then enjoy another cup as I normally would. Just a thought to help get the spoonful of “medicine” go down!!
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Linda 02.19.09 at 6:52 pm
Thank you for doing coconut oil recipes this week. I was just fixin’ to write and ask you where I could get some good recipes to increase my intake of coconut oil. I have been trying out the “Eat Fat Lose Fat” diet and just cannot do the oil in the tea thing before meals. It does fill you up, but I just can’t bring myself to do it. I’ve already made someone’s candy to try (can’t remember who since I just finished browsing through all of the links). I’ll be kept busy with all the variety of recipes. Thanks again!
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Rebecca in Michigan 02.21.09 at 9:25 pm
Sourdough Pancakes
1 cup of sourdough starter (my starter is fed 3/4 cups of water and one cup of flour, so it’s the thinner type of starter)
2 cups of water
2 1/2 cups of whole grain flour
3 large eggs
4 tablespoons of maple syrup, honey, maple sugar, or rapadura (optional)
1/4 cup of coconut oil, or melted butter
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of salt
3 to 24 hours before you want to eat, combine in a large bowl the starter, water, and flour. Make sure that you have plenty of room for this mixture to rise. If it is a very hot day, beware of leaving it too long as it will ferment very quickly. I usually make this up the night before, for breakfast, or the morning of, for dinner. In colder weather, I have done this recipe for up to 24 hours.
After the soaking period, add the rest of the ingredients, and combine well. A whisk is helpful. If you want thinner pancakes you can thin with water (or milk). Drop about 1/4 of a cup of the batter on a lightly oiled hot griddle (over medium to medium-high heat) until the the top is set, and the bottom lightly browned. Flip the pancake and cook until the pancake is lightly browned on the other side. Repeat until all of the batter is used, re-oiling the pan as needed.
Serve with real maple syrup, butter, or a fruit topping and whipped cream.
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Kelly 02.22.09 at 12:11 am
Hey, I’ve even got some sourdough starter in the frig! Thanks!
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Katie 03.01.09 at 4:58 pm
You can find line-caught salmon at Heffron Farms in the GR area (although they’re pricey!), and remember that even Nina Planck in Real Food says that farm-raised tilapia is the way to go for that particular fish. My husband just gave me the go-ahead to cook fish too, and tilapia is the only one he can stomach. It’s very mild, but at least it’s fish!
Harvest Health has inexpensive, plain old flaked coconut – organic even – no yucky stuff.
Can’t wait to join the next carnival!
Katie at kitchenstewardship.wordpress.com
Katie’s last blog post..Food for Thought: America’s Food Waste
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Kelly 03.01.09 at 10:09 pm
Katie, I had forgotten that Nina Planck said that! Yay! Now we can’t eat Tilapia (which I love) without worry.
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Katie 03.05.09 at 3:33 pm
I added to Mr Linky — you can check out my adapted side-bread recipes for biscuits, cornbread and tortillas, all using coconut oil, at Kitchen Stewardship. All have a soaked option as well. I use the unrefined, and I swear, you can’t taste it in the final product (unless maybe you’re really sensitive to it).
Katie’s last blog post..Why I have empty Ziplocs in my fridge
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Kelly 03.06.09 at 8:57 am
Looks great, thanks Katie!
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rose 02.10.10 at 9:27 am
Somewhere on this site I read where someone mixed half butter and half coconut oil and then put into candy molds and refrigerated until firm. I did this and loved it. I am not a big fan of coconut taste but could definetly eat a lot of this.
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