A versatile tropical region ingredient, coconut is a fruit. First grows out on a coconut tree as a tender coconut, which is harvested and dried out. The husk is then removed and the brown coconut shell is found. Inside this shell is the fresh coconut with coconut water on the inside. There are various ways to use all the different parts of this humble coconut. From the coconut husk, the shell to coconut oil, and the coconut flesh to coconut milk. Coconut Milk is one such ingredient, that brings out great flavours, when used in any dish, belonging to any cuisine from a Thai curry to a Kerala Vegetable Stew
Coconut milk is made by grinding fresh coconut flesh along with warm/hot water and this first thick extract is the homemade coconut milk.
Here's the recipe - Homemade Coconut Milk Recipe
Freshly made coconut milk at home tastes great, however the store bought tetra packs are equally good and great to be picked up last minute when you decide to make a recipe that requires it. Coconut milk is dairy free and vegan. Great to be consumed by those who are lactose intolerant.
It is used across various cuisines, from Kerala dishes like stews to Thai recipes like curries, and many a times used in Bengali cuisine as well. You will also find the usage of coconut milk in recipes from the Goan cuisine and Malvani Cuisine.
Coconut and its by products like Coconut Milk have various healthy benefits. Here are a few:
- Helps to keep the skin and hair healthy and youthful looking.
- It improves healthy cholesterol
- Reduces heart risk
- Helps in removal of free radicals that are instrumental in premature ageing
- Improves absorption of nutrients and aids in improving digestion
- Promotes weight loss
Here is a list of recipes, that use coconut milk as the base.
So wait no more, and dive right into these recipes to make them for your family and friends.
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1. Kobbari Chaaru Recipe (Coconut Milk & Dal Sambar Recipe)
A lip smacking smacking coconut milk sambar, made Andhra style, this Kobbari Chaaru is great to be served for a simple weekday lunch.
Green chillies add in the sambar, bring out the heat and add great flavour to this otherwise subtle coconut milk sambar.
Serve Kobbari Chaaru along with Steamed rice, and Gorikayi Palya Recipe, Curry Leaves Buttermilk Recipe - Curry Patta Chaas Recipe by the side. Finish thsi meal with Semiya Payasam With Coconut Milk Recipe
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2. Kerala Style Vegetable Stew Recipe with Coconut Milk
Packed with vegetables and made with simple whole spices, this Kerala style Vegetables stew is a staple of the region.
Made using simple flavours that is great in taste, this is the vegetarian versions. however if you wish to add chicken, it tastes equally good.
Serve Kerala Style Vegetable Stew along with Kerala Style Appam Recipe (Without Yeast) or How To Make Homemade Idiyappam Recipe - Rice Sevai Recipe.
Finish the meal a dessert of Pachai Payaru Payasam Recipe - Green Moong Dal Payasam
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3. Paneer Gassi Recipe
An authentic Mangalore style dish made with a twist, by adding Paneer to it. Coconut here is the star ingredient that brings out the main flavours of the spices when combined together.
Similar to that of the classic Kori Gassi, but a vegetarian take on it.
Traditionally eaten with the Mangalorean Rotti, a unique crispy flatbread made from rice flour.
Serve Paneer Gassi along with Mangalorean Neer Dosa Recipe-Savory Rice & Coconut Crepe or Steamed Rice, followed by a dessert of Konkani Style Patholi/Kadabu Recipe-Sweet Dumpling Recipe.
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4. Vegetarian Thai Massaman Curry Recipe
This lovely, Thai Massaman curry, uses a medley of vegetables and tofu cooked along with earthy ingredients like lemongrass, galangal and of course the base ids made with coconut milk, that helps balance out the flavours.
Serve this Thai Massaman curry along with Thai Lemongrass Rice Recipe, Kiwi Basil Lemonade Recipe, and finish this lovely meal with a dessert of Khao Neeo Mamuang - Thai Sweet Sticky Rice With Mango.
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5. Chicken Mapas Recipe (Chicken in Coconut Milk Curry)
A Kerala style chicken curry made with coconut milk, and spices , making it a robust Chicken Mapas.
Cooking this chicken in coconut oil and the curry being made with coconut milk, the chicken gets its lovely flavour from all of these fresh ingredients.
Serve Chicken Mapas along with Malabar Parotta Recipe - Kerala Parotta Recipe and Kerala Style Prawns & Shrimp Biryani (Chemmeen Biryani Recipe) and Onion Raita Recipe - Pyaz Ka Raita Recipe
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6. Sri Lankan Chicken Curry Recipe - Kukul Mas Curry
A Chicken curry you will absolutely love ! Chicken made Sri Lankan style with a freshly ground masala and the base with coconut milk.
The Sinhalese cuisine uses fresh masalas and will entice your taste buds leaving you asking more at every meal.
Serve Sri Lankan Chicken Curry along with Sri Lankan Muttai Appam Recipe or Veechu Parotta Or Ceylon Parotta Recipe and a side of Tamil Nadu Style Spicy Egg Fry Recipe.
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7. Pineapple and Chicken Curry Recipe
Pineapple and Chicken Curry Recipe is a delicious combination of succulent pieces of chicken combined with sour pineapples put together in a yellow thai curry paste.
Such earthy flavours make this thai chicken curry super delicious.
Serve Pineapple and Chicken Curry along with Thai Jasmine Sticky Rice Recipe and a side of Thai Som Tum Recipe (Thai Green Papaya Salad) followed by a dessert of Tender Coconut Ice Cream Recipe
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8. Safed Murgh Handi Recipe (Chicken In White Gravy)
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9. Baked Fish In Coconut Milk Recipe
A fusion recipe, of fish combined with Indian masalas and cooked in a coconut milk base baked in the oven in a cast iron skillet.
The process of baking the fish, allows it to absorb all its flavoured juices.
Serve Baked Fish In Coconut Milk along with Ghee Rice Recipe | Neychoru and a side of Kerala Style Mutton Pepper Fry Recipe
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10. Prawns Coconut Curry Recipe
A south Indian style curry made with coconut milk, this prawns coconut curry is all you need to serve your family on a sunday afternoon, while the family spends some quality time over food.
Prawns dunked in a masaledar curry with spices. If you wish not to use, prawns you could try fish, chicken or even some vegetables should taste great.
Serve Prawns Coconut Curry Recipe along with Dhaba Style Spicy Ghee Rice Recipe Made From Whole Spices or Kerala Style Appam Recipe (Fermented Rice Pancakes With Coconut)
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11. Anar Pabda (Bengali Fish Curry In Pomegranate Juice & Coconut Milk)
A unique Bengali preparation, this dish uses a variety of fish called Pabda, where the fish is cooked in pomegranate juice and coconut milk to make this earthy dish.
Serve Anar Pabda along with Steamed Rice or Dhaba Style Spicy Ghee Rice Recipe Made From Whole Spices followed by a dessert of Mishti Doi Recipe (Traditional Bengali Sweet Yogurt)
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12. Mushroom and Prawn Malai Curry Recipe
A fusion recipe, where mushroom is combined with prawns and cooked in a base of yogurt and coconut milk, which uses mustard oil to cook.
So many flavours packed together in this one dish will make you crave for even more.
Serve Mushroom and Prawn Malai Curry Recipe along with Butter Garlic Naan Recipe (Garlic Flavoured Flat Bread) and Pudina Pyaz Kachumber Salad Recipe - Mint & Onion Salad and a dessert of Mango Sago Kheer Recipe - Sabudana Kheer With Mangoes
