Coconut oil

[Thermomixer]

Thanks earthmumma for that info 

[judydawn]

Whilst in the health shop today I bought a 300g jar of coconut oil - don't ask me why but I had remembered there being some discussion on it.  Came on here tonight and found the topic active so have read it from page 1 to see if there was anything in there that I had intended to make.  Couldn't find anything so now I have to work out what to do with it.  I had tried to get coconut flour for some of Chookies recipes but they had none.  I find visiting a health food shop blows the budget quite easily.

[cookie1]

Yes, I think their mark up must be at least 1000%. We used to have a good health food shop locally but it has closed down. They really knew what they were talking about and were helpful without being pushy.

[quirkycooking]

Here's some ideas with coconut oil, JD... 
Flourless Chocolate Hazelnut Brownies
Macadamia Nut Pie
Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
Eggless Ginger Cake
Double Chocolate Ginger Cookies
Or for any shallow frying, eg apple-oat fritters

[judydawn]

Oh thank you so much Jo - that is a wonderful choice.  Will spend some time tomorrow browsing all those recipes to see what I can do first. 

[andiesenji]

Yum, that sounds good, earth mumma!
Crone, I bought that coconut oil, and I don't think it's the proper good stuff!!  It's very 'generic' tasting - tastes like nothing - and every organic cold-pressed coconut oil I've tasted has a little bit of a coconut flavour (not too strong, but you can taste it)... I'm thinking it's probably not cold-pressed.  I'm not going to use it in food, I think I'll just make soap with it, and stick with the Spiral brand of coconut oil!

I am very fussy about the sourcing of anything I eat or use in cooking - stopped buying dried "exotic" fruits from China several years ago after reading Hannah Holmes book about dust -  and the coconut oil I use is "virgin, cold-pressed" and certified organic. 
One of my friends here in town who owns a small bakery and café bought a tub of cheaper coconut oil and returned it immediately after opening it because it had a rancid odor.  He had been and is still using the Nutiva because it is certified organic and he can order it direct from Nutiva in 5 gallon buckets.  (He uses a lot - the only vegetable oil he uses in baking.) 

I use both Nutiva
as well as  Tropical Traditions Gold Label - they have a distributor in http://www.tropical-traditions-australia.com/, or at least it says so on the brochure that comes with every jar, and I like both equally and have both on hand at all times.     
The Tropical Traditions oil has a bit more of a coconut flavor and aroma, which is very nice, but there are some dishes in which the flavor does come through and I haven't noticed it with the Nutiva. 

I actually use the TT on my face and neck - I transfer some to a small, wide jar that I keep in the bathroom - and I walk around with that pleasant aroma surrounding me for the first hour each day. 

I also add a generous tablespoon or so to smoothies and other whipped drinks.  I think it has helped with my weight loss during the past year+, slow but steady weight loss which I had not been able to achieve in the past ten  years. 

[quirkycooking]

Isn't coconut oil wonderful?!!  I use it on my lips too, as a lip gloss, or for chapped lips.  If you have dry, itchy skin it's good for that too.  But like Andi says, you've got to have the proper stuff - extra virgin cold pressed organic!  I haven't seen the tropical traditions brand - must have a look.  Thanks Andi.

[achookwoman]

JD,  don't panic about the coconut flour.   If you want to make the waffles, just replace the coconut flour with plain flour.   However the chocolate cake ( with lots of eggs) was specially formulated for the coconut flour.   I think the message with the oil is that you can replace oil or butter with the coconut oil  without any major problems.  It has a very slight coconut flavor.

The 2 brands that I have are Niulife and Melrose.  Both organic,  and Niulife says Extra Virgin.   Melrose says Cold Pressed.

[judydawn]

 Mine is Melrose Chookie and I will try those waffles.  My waffle machine has sat unused for a couple of years and if I don't use it I may as well give it to someone who will. At times DH struggles to eat his main meal let alone put dessert in front of him too so it means I am eating most desserts on my own. The neighbours I am friendliest with are both diabetic so I can't even take excess over to them most of the time and Mum is now eating inside the retirement village facility so her needs have diminished too.

[brazen20au]

waffles freeze well don't they?

i tried to buy coconut flour yesterday with no success

[judydawn]

Jo, I have printed out all those recipes you suggested for the coconut oil - should have bought a litre of the stuff  Thank you so much for pointing me in the right direction - love your blog.  I have now started a complete file of your recipes so I know exactly where to go to find things.  Quite a few members of this forum now have their own personal file in this house - what a great job you all do of sharing your lovely recipes with the rest of the world via your blogs and this forum.

[quirkycooking]

Thanks JD - with all your lovely recipes and beautiful photos, maybe YOU had better start a blog!! 

[judydawn]

Thanks JD - with all your lovely recipes and beautiful photos, maybe YOU had better start a blog!! 

Jo, I think you have got me mixed up with the clever JulieO. Not up to that stage myself yet unfortunately.

[achookwoman]

Jd,  the cooked waffles freeze well.  Just pop into the toaster to re heat.   Just dont over cook the ones for the freezer

[quirkycooking]

Thanks JD - with all your lovely recipes and beautiful photos, maybe YOU had better start a blog!! 

Jo, I think you have got me mixed up with the clever JulieO. Not up to that stage myself yet unfortunately.

Oops! Silly me!  I'm sure you could do it too!