Exploring the World of Plant-Based Ingredients: From Butter to Flour and Beyond?

Beyond the well-documented health advantages and commonly recognized uses for coconuts, consider these additional creative applications for coconut products – including butter, flour, oil, and fresh meat – to unlock new possibilities in your culinary repertoire. With coconut as your trusted ally, do you really need dairy’s rich flavors in your life?

jahmoon/Flickr

You can repurpose coconut meat from a fresh, young white coconut available in the produce department to craft your own homemade yogurt. Simply crack open the coconut and carefully extract the white meat before proceeding. Explore the frozen section at specialty health food stores for a convenient and hassle-free way to purchase raw coconut meat. While often paired with other specialty frozen fruits such as acai puree, this product can also be used independently. Regardless of whether you opt for raw frozen or fresh meat, both are excellent choices for creating delicious raw coconut yogurt. Blend the meat thoroughly in a blender with the contents of a vegan-friendly probiotic capsule for a minimum of two minutes, allowing the mixture to gently warm and combine.

Stacy Spensley/Flickr

Combine the contents of this mixture into a bowl. To create an ideal environment for the yeast, cover and wrap the bowl with a towel to maintain humidity. Ensure the oven has cooled completely before placing the bowl inside, shielding it from air currents that might disrupt the process. After a period of 24 hours, carefully examine the mixture. The desired consistency of a sauce or dressing? It should have a pungent aroma reminiscent of yogurt and a viscous texture that’s just a notch above watery? Draining the mixture through a cheesecloth or nut milk bag allows for customization of its thickness, enabling you to achieve your desired consistency. Store the yogurt in an airtight container at a consistent refrigerator temperature, ideally out of direct sunlight or wrapped in a breathable cloth, to ensure optimal freshness; consume within 5-7 days for best results.

dvortygirl/Flickr

If your yogurt has lost its characteristic aroma within 24 hours, try placing it in a cool oven (ensure it’s at room temperature first) for an additional 12 hours before rechecking its scent. You can also create coconut kefir by substituting kefir grains or coconut water kefir for the probiotic capsules, allowing the fermentation process to begin. If you’re looking for coconut water kefir, you can usually find it in the probiotics section of specialty health food stores that cater to your dietary preferences. Savor the creamy texture of our coconut yogurt by pairing it with sweet papaya slices in the Papaya and Coconut Yogurt Breakfast recipe, or blend it with rolled oats overnight to create a refreshing, raw-soaked oatmeal experience.

 

Christa/Flickr

I’m delighted by the prospect of indulging in a rich and creamy raw cake, crafted with the versatile and nutritious coconut.

For instance, substituting ½ cup of raw coconut flour for 1 cup of white flour leverages its natural fibrous and binding properties, while adding ¼ cup coconut shreds further enhances binding and adds texture to the mix. Additionally, consider incorporating 2 tablespoons of [insert ingredient here]. Warm raw coconut butter to facilitate a smooth and even blend. Blend 1 cup of liquid, either water or coconut milk, with the given ingredients, adding your preferred sweetener options, including stevia and low-glycemic coconut nectar. Pour the mixture into a small mini loaf pan, topping it with additional coconut flakes or chopped raw nuts for added texture and visual appeal. As the mixture sits for 60 minutes, the baking process unfolds, resulting in a delectable and nutritious cake that can be effortlessly sliced into portions perfect for an afternoon treat or indulgent dessert. You can also incorporate coconut into a luscious raw fruit and coconut cake, an alternative to traditional baking, or opt for a refreshing raw coconut pie instead, perfect for those craving something new.

If you’re not a fan of traditional oatmeal or have dietary restrictions that limit grains, but you adore the creamy texture and flavor of coconut, why not create a grain-free porridge that caters to your unique preferences? All you require is 25% to one-third cup of coconut flour, two to three tablespoons.

Add raw coconut shreds to your recipe for an instant boost of creamy texture, and consider combining them with ground chia or flax seeds for a nutty flavour and even more nutritional value in each serving. Combine the mixture with cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom, then stir in ¼ cup of non-dairy milk and sufficient water to achieve a creamy porridge texture. You can also sweeten your tea with a natural alternative, such as stevia, coconut nectar, or even a drizzle of pure maple syrup to taste. A quarter cup of coconut flour contains a notable 9 grams of protein, 12 grams of fiber, and is remarkably low in carbohydrates, making it an exceptionally nutritious ingredient. This nutrient-dense food boasts remarkable gut-healing properties, attributed to its potent antimicrobial effects, and provides an impressive amount of fiber, exceeding that found in oats and many commercial bran cereals by a significant margin. Opt for high-quality, raw, and organic coconut flour whenever feasible to ensure a superior taste and texture in your finished products.

Convenience often comes at a cost: store-bought coconut milks typically contain additives that can be challenging for our bodies to process. Some plant-based milk alternatives contain emulsifiers like gums that can trigger digestive issues, while others may incorporate carrageenan. Additionally, some brands might add refined sugars in the form of evaporated cane syrup or cane juice, essentially providing a less-processed alternative to white sugar. During pasteurization, coconuts are subjected to extremely high temperatures, rendering most of their inherently rich nutrient profile inaccessible when consumed raw.

Make your own coconut milk at home by blending 1/2 cup of raw coconut butter with 3 cups of water in a high-speed blender or household blender for at least 2 minutes, allowing the mixture to fully break down and emulsify. For an added touch of sweetness, consider incorporating a naturally occurring sweetener like a rehydrated date, a drizzle of fig syrup, a pinch of stevia, or a hint of coconut nectar into your blend. Compared to producing coconut milk from scratch using raw coconut shreds and straining them through a nut milk bag, I discover that this pre-made coconut milk possesses an undeniable richness in texture, proving itself to be creamier by far. With its impressive nutritional profile, raw coconut butter deserves a prominent spot in your pantry, making it an ideal candidate for crafting delicious and healthy homemade milk in mere moments. So straining needed!

VeganBaking/Flickr

I have a weakness for white chocolate that’s hard to explain. Chocolate is a blend of the fatty portion of the cacao bean, referred to as cacao butter, combined with sugar and milk. The struggle to resist the allure of white chocolate was real, but ultimately giving in and discovering a new way to savor its sweetness without resorting to added sugars proved a triumph.

Blending 1/2 cup of raw coconut butter with an equal amount of raw cacao butter and adding a touch of sweetness to taste allows for the creation of a rich, indulgent treat. To achieve the desired consistency, gently warm the mixture beforehand to prevent burning; a ramekin placed on a hot coffee plate proves an effective tool in achieving this. Position the ramekin on the coffee maker’s warming plate, activate the device, and permit the hot surface to warm for approximately five minutes, allowing the mixture to gradually soften. Once blended, pour the mixture into an ice cube tray to freeze. Allow the mixture to chill in the freezer for 30-45 minutes. Once frozen solid, scoop out and enjoy your freshly made homemade white chocolate. While it remains solid at room temperature, I find it best to store it in the refrigerator to maintain its refreshing chill. When using cacao butter isn’t feasible due to its premium price, consider blending raw coconut butter with a small amount of cacao powder as a suitable alternative. It will possess a unique flavor profile with subtle nuances, yet remain bold and tantalizingly fresh in its raw state, exuding an irresistible aroma that teases the senses.

Discover the versatility of coconut by exploring our guides on incorporating coconut butter into your baked goods and harnessing its benefits for a radiant, naturally glowing complexion. Experience the remarkable properties of this superfood, which can enrich your life from head to toe.