Written by Mary Harp, Nature + Nurture
Homemade coconut milk is 'da bomb. Even better, its SUPER easy to make. In this tutorial, I'll teach you how to create this yourself in 5 minutes.
Coconut milk has a delicious, mild flavor and is full of nutrients. If you're trying to limit your dairy intake (not me, hee hee), homemade coconut milk is a great alternative. It's delicious in smoothies, coffee, cocoa, tumeric tea (recipe coming soon), or as a replacement in any recipe that uses milk.
Why homemade coconut milk, you ask? Here are a few of the benefits of coconut milk: weight loss, immune health, heart health, and beautiful skin and hair. Read more details in this article.
- Coconut has always been an obsession of mine. Now, its a full-blown fad and you can find it everywhere in many forms - coconut water, coconut milk, coconut oil... you get my drift. The problem is, these products can be pricey! Also, store-bought coconut milk has additives like careageenan and synthetic vitamins. Read this article from The Healthy Home Economist for more information on why these additives should be avoided.
My little kitchen helper. 🙂
Because of this, I like to use unsweetened shredded coconut and make my own - much cheaper than store-bought milk AND healthier. Double win! You can find unsweetened shredded coconut online or in any grocery store.
Ok, let's make our homemade coconut milk!
Items Needed:
Blender, large mixing bowl, clean tea towel, large rubber band, jars for storing the coconut milk, unsweetened shredded coconut, and water.
First, boil some water and let it cool a bit. You want it to be hot, but not boiling. Add 1 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut and 2 cups of hot water to the blender. Blend on high until the coconut is in tiny pieces, like pulp (make sure the lid's on tight).
Now, place your clean tea towel over your large bowl and secure the rubber band around it. Pour your coconut mixture through the towel, which will strain out all the coconut pulp.
Remove the rubber band and carefully squeeze any remaining liquid into the bowl (careful, it will be hot!).
There you have it! I told you, SUPER easy. Now you've got fresh coconut milk with no additives! It makes about 2 cups. I think this would keep just fine in the fridge for about a week, but mine never lasts that long (hee hee). You could easily double or triple this recipe. I've never frozen this before, but I think it would freeze well. If anyone tries freezing it, let me know how it turns out!
What's your favorite kind of milk?
Mary Harp blogs at Nature + Nurture when she's not chasing her 2 active boys. She is passionate about nurturing the WHOLE person - body, mind, and spirit. Follow her on Facebook and Pinterest.
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