Coconut milk

[I Love Bimby!]

Well I've finally done it! Me 1: Coconut 0.  The coconut finally cracked!    Although an axe would have been much more time effient I think (will have to admit that I didn't watch the video link first...  )

I'd had several attempts which all failed, until I found at the bottom of the cupboard my old herb chopping board (with the'dish" carved out of it). So i sat the coconut in that and then gave it all I got with the knife.  Mine hadn't heard that short sharp hits were enough.  We're tough nuts in the country 

I know know why the picture below has the lady standing at the doorway. I ended up with cocont fibres and dirt everywhere!

Now to make the coconut milk ...

Oh by the way - do you use the juice in the coconut milk too or should I use that for something else???
Thanks

[brazen20au]

just drink the juice, yum yum yum!

[Thermomixer]

I have a recipe for a delicious soup using the juice from the coconut - will see if I can locate it.

[JaneeZee]

I remember when we used to win coconuts at the fair (they were terribly exotic growing up in England!) that Dad used to pierce the 3 little indentations at the top with a corkscrew & drain out the milk then attack it with a hammer.  There was no easy way to get to the flesh but a hammer & chisel worked!!!

[Rowyfo]

Hrm, my everyday cookbook doesn't have a coconut milk recipe. I have the newer book. Good thing there is one on here cause I used it this evening - thanks 

[farfallina]

I needed coconut milk as an ingredient for another recipe
When I couldn't find it at the supermarket I decided to make it on my own and I came across with this recipe
I've made it today and it is so delicious!
Thanks a lot for this recipe 
I used 250g desiccated coconut and 750g water.

I wonder also the one in EDC though
Is it made with fresh coconut?
Are the weight in grams and the procedure same?

[judydawn]

Farfallina, the EDC recipe is 300g dessicated coconut or freshly grated coconut and 630g water. Cook 5 mins/100^o/speed 4. Pulverise for 30 sec/speed 8. Strain through muslin cloth and squeeze out all the liquid. Makes approx. 300-400g of coconut milk. Can be used in curries, soups, drinks or jellies.

[farfallina]

Thanks so much JD! 

I will try also that one
Amount of water is twice the amount of coconut then

I'd like to ask one other thing
This is the first time I made/had coconut milk
I kept it in the fridge
The cream of coconut separated from the water, hardened and floated. The water remained under. It didn't look like a milk anymore
Is that OK?
Should coconut milk be kept in the fridge or elsewhere?

[judydawn]

I have no idea farfallina, have never made it but I would keep it in the fridge and just mix it all up again in the thermomix when you are ready to use it. Anyone out there got a better answer 

[Thermomixer]

You can freeze it - I put it into ice cube trays and then into bags to keep it.  It will ferment out of the fridge.

[meganjane]

farfallina, it will separate in the fridge and the cream will harden. Just bring to room temperature and stir. As Thermomixer says, it's best to freeze it.

[achookwoman]

Went to a cooking demo with a Melbourne chef many years ago.  She showed us how to remove the flesh from a fresh coconut.  Break it open,  I usually wait for the Grandchildren to come as they love to throw the coconut down on the concrete drive.  Take the pieces, one piece at a time,  and sit it on a gas ring on the stove,  with the shell down on the flame.  Use  very low  heat.  Gradually the flesh will start to lift from the shell.   When this happens,  use a small blunt knife to lift the 'meat ' out.  I have done it and it works.

[farfallina]

Thank you girls
I guess next time i will freeze it unless I need to use all right away

[Thermomixer]

Thanks CHookie - never heard that idea before - great. 

[jflim]

This has made me think how some ingredients are taken for granted. We get coconut milk easily here. I prefer getting the freshly grated flesh from the shop and squeezing the milk out at home. It's ok if it's 1-2 fruits but more... very tiring. I'm gonna try this one day.
Thanks