Cuckoo for Coconut!

I have a confession: I hate coconut. Correction: I hate what I thought was coconut, but actually turns out to be desiccated coconut, which is the dried, processed, flaky coconut flesh used in many recipes. It just tastes awful to me, and I spent my entire life avoiding foods and drinks that contain coconut because I had never had the "real thing". But after I broke a coconut open and quite bravely took a bite, my appreciation and fondness for the tropical fruit skyrocketed. What a difference! If you're like me and think you don't like coconut, maybe you'll discover that you really do if you give it another try, with a REAL coconut!

Coconuts are fairly easy to find at your grocery store or farmer's market. You will notice three small indentations in one end; these should be firm when pushed with a fingernail, to indicate freshness. You will also hear liquid in the center if you shake it, which is the coconut water. If you don't know how to open a coconut, there are several helpful videos available online to show you how to get at the goods inside. Be sure to retain the water, as it is very healthy and can be used in many recipes as well.

First, just try the coconut meat straight out of the coconut. It has a nutty, buttery flavor, and is surprisingly filling on its own. It can be refrigerated for several days but will get moldy after about a week if not eaten or frozen.

Here are some fun and simple ideas for incorporating more fresh coconut in your diet:

Coconut Rice With Veggies

Use a food processor to grate the coconut, then sauté ½ cup with onions and garlic in olive oil or coconut oil until lightly browned. Add 2 cups cooked rice of your preference and incorporate until well-blended. Serve hot with steamed veggies on top.

Coconut Milk

You can make your own fresh coconut milk for use in recipes rather than the processed, canned milk. Simply combine the coconut meat and water in a food processor and blend until liquefied. Now you can use as you normally would for any recipe. Fresh is always healthier!

Coconut Salad

Cut the meat into strips to add sweet nuttiness to summer salads. Combines well with avocado, mango, papaya, lime, cucumber, spinach, ginger, sunflower seeds.

Coconut Smoothie

Add coconut water to your morning smoothie for a jolt of electrolytes. Combines well with mango, peach, pineapple, banana, orange, strawberries, blueberries, and just about any other fruit you would put in a smoothie.

Coconut Rum Cocktail

This is one of the quickest and easiest drink recipes ever. 2 oz. golden rum + 4 oz. coconut water, add ice, stir (a coconut should provide about 4 oz of water).

There are many other forms of coconut which are useful for cooking such as coconut cream, frozen coconut (non-desiccated), coconut butter, and coconut oil. I am thankful to have discovered a whole new ingredient that has such versatility and health benefits, and hopefully if you haven't already, you will fall in love with this marvelous and tasty fruit too. To learn more about the amazing health benefits of coconut, my new favorite food, here is an excellent article from Natural News. http://www.naturalnews.com/030971_coconut_brain_function.html