You’ve heard the hype, you’ve done your research about its health benefits, and now you’ve finally purchased a jar of coconut oil. But what do you do with it? If you’re unsure of how to incorporate coconut oil into your every day cooking, or if you’re looking to explore new coconut oil recipes then this is the article for you.
Firstly, if when you brought your coconut oil it was initially solid and is now liquid (or vice versa) do not fret, this is normal. Coconut oil melts at about 24°C. Below this temperature it is a solid; above, it is a liquid. Either way rest assured it retains all its nutritional properties and delicious flavour.
Baking or Frying with Coconut Oil
Simply substitute coconut oil with other vegetable oils or butter at a 1:1 ratio to create a range of baked goods. You can either melt it by heating it in a fry pan, or use it at room temperature depending on your needs. Coconut oil will combine easily with the rest of your ingredients when at room temperature. It makes a great replacement for alternatives like vegetable oils and butter, which lose their health benefits when heated and often contain Trans fats and GMOs. When solid, coconut oil makes a great spread over both sweet and savoury breads. Coconut Magic’s Virgin Coconut Oil has a smooth texture and particularly light taste and aroma, so it will not overpower the other ingredients in your dishes. Have a look at the wholefoods recipe page to find a range of delicious baked recipes – everything from a coconut macadamia loaf, to crispy chick pea patties, to a hearty brown basmanti coconut pilaf.
Adding Coconut Oil to Juices and Smoothies
Health practitioners suggest three tablespoons of organic, Virgin coconut oil per day to gain the full health benefits. If you lead a busy lifestyle and tend to enjoy liquid meals, then adding 1-3 tbsp of coconut oil to your juices, smoothies, soups, coffee, and/or tea is a great way to ensure you are getting all the healthy fats your body requires to function normally. Coconut Magic’s coconut oil will add a creaminess without making your drink and beverages too thick or distracting from the taste. An easy way to boost the nutritional content of your meals!
Using Coconut Oil in Raw Sweets and Treats
Visit the sweets and treats recipe page for a list of incredible coconut oil recipes to satisfy those sweet tooth cravings. Many of these treats make for convenient, portable snacks to prevent mid afternoon energy crashes. These treats are easy to create, use very few ingredients and often require no cooking/baking. From raw berry spiced coconut popsicles to raw dark chocolate peanut butter cups to raw medicinal chocolate you’re bound to find something in there that will appeal to even the most fussiest of eaters. It is an unfortunate yet common misconception that healthy food must taste bland and be visually unappealing. By combining a handful of natural ingredients such as coconut oil and natural sweeteners such as organic coconut nectar and coconut sugar in new and existing ways, you can create a range of dairy, gluten, nut, and refined sugar free treats that even the most sensitive of tums can enjoy.
After having a quick browse of the website you’ll see that when it comes to cooking with coconut oil the options are endless. But tasting is believing … what delicious coconut oil recipe will you create next?
