Nuts About Coconut
Ranked #3,016 in Food & Cooking, #56,073 overall
I'm Cuckoo For Coconut!
Yes, well, bad pun aside, the sentiment is genuine: I love all things coconut. It evokes great memories for me (having a drink of coconut water at an outdoor market from a fresh split coconut, for example), and just plain tastes good. I hope to use this page to explore more about coconuts and all of their many uses - and share some good recipes as well.
So, What Is A Coconut Anyway?
Coconut As Defined By Wikipedia...
Botanically, a coconut is a simple dry nut known as a fibrous drupe. The husk, or mesocarp, is composed of fibers called coir and there is an inner stone, or endocarp. This hard endocarp, the outside of the coconut as sold in the shops of non-tropical countries, has three germination pores that are clearly visible on the outside surface once the husk is removed. It is through one of these that the radicle emerges when the embryo germinates. Adhering to the inside wall of the endocarp is the testa, with a thick albuminous endosperm (the coconut "meat"), the white and fleshy edible part of the seed.Although coconut meat contains less fat than other dry nuts such as peanuts and almonds, it is noted for its high amount of saturated fat. Approximately 90% of the fat found in coconut meat is saturated, a proportion exceeding that of foods such as lard, butter, and tallow. However, there has been some debate as to whether or not the saturated fat in coconuts is healthier than the saturated fat found in other foods. Coconut meat also contains less sugar and more protein than popular fruits such as bananas, apples, and oranges, and it is relatively high in minerals such as iron, phosphorus and zinc.
The endosperm surrounds a hollow interior space, filled with air and often a liquid referred to as coconut water, not to be confused with coconut milk. Coconut milk, called "santan" in Malaya, is made by grating the endosperm and mixing it with (warm) water. The resulting thick, white liquid is used in much Asian cooking, for example, in curries. Coconut water from the unripe coconut, on the other hand, is drunk fresh as a refreshing drink. Young coconuts used for coconut water are called tender coconuts. The water of a tender coconut is liquid endosperm. It's refreshingly sweet (mild) with aerated feel when cut fresh. Depending on the size a tender coconut could contain the liquid in the range of 300 to 1,000 ml.
(...from Wikipedia)
National Coconut Cream Pie Day ~~ May 8th
According to WebHoliday.com, Coconut Cream Pie's have their own day, and it is May 8th! They also provide a great sounding recipe to make your own Coconut Cream Pie recipe:
3/4 C. cornstarch
1 1/2 C. sugar
1/2 tsp salt
4 C milk, scalded
2 eggs (beaten )
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
2 tbl margarine
1/2 tsp coconut extract
1 C. coarsely shredded fresh coconut
1 baked 10-inch pie shell
4 C. whipped cream
Combine cornstarch, sugar and salt; mix well.
Gradually stir scalded milk into cornstarch mixture.
Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and boil for two minutes, or until thickened and shiny.
Add a small amount of the hot mixture to eggs and beat until well blended.
Return to pan and beat for two minutes over medium heat until slightly thickened, being careful not to let mixture curdle.
Remove from heat and add vanilla and margarine, mixing until smooth.
Pour through sieve to strain out lumps.
Place plastic wrap directly over filling; set aside to cool.
Add coconut extract and half the coconut to the cooled pie filling.
Pour filling into pie shell; chill.
Spread whipped cream over pie, mounding in center.
Sprinkle with remaining coconut.
Coconut cream pie recipe makes one 10-inch pie.
(Want another great Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie Recipe?)
3/4 C. cornstarch
1 1/2 C. sugar
1/2 tsp salt
4 C milk, scalded
2 eggs (beaten )
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
2 tbl margarine
1/2 tsp coconut extract
1 C. coarsely shredded fresh coconut
1 baked 10-inch pie shell
4 C. whipped cream
Combine cornstarch, sugar and salt; mix well.
Gradually stir scalded milk into cornstarch mixture.
Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and boil for two minutes, or until thickened and shiny.
Add a small amount of the hot mixture to eggs and beat until well blended.
Return to pan and beat for two minutes over medium heat until slightly thickened, being careful not to let mixture curdle.
Remove from heat and add vanilla and margarine, mixing until smooth.
Pour through sieve to strain out lumps.
Place plastic wrap directly over filling; set aside to cool.
Add coconut extract and half the coconut to the cooled pie filling.
Pour filling into pie shell; chill.
Spread whipped cream over pie, mounding in center.
Sprinkle with remaining coconut.
Coconut cream pie recipe makes one 10-inch pie.
(Want another great Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie Recipe?)
National Macaroon Day ~~ May 31st
According to HolidayInsights.com, May 31st of every year is National Macaroon Day! Macaroons are a flourless cookie often made with coconut. They are were believed to have been first made in an Italian monastery in 1792.The website doesn't list any history on how the macaroon holiday started, and there is no Congressional record of it. But, I for one am willing to step up and celebrate the day. Try making your own macaroons, and you can join the celebration also!
My Favorite Coconut Macaroons
These cookies are so good - no one will believe you made them!
INGREDIENTS:
2 egg whites
dash salt
1/4 tsp vanilla
2/3 C sugar
1 1/2 C sweetened coconut flakes
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 325.
Beat egg whites, salt, and vanilla until soft peaks form.
While beating, add sugar gradually to egg white mixture. Continue beating until stiff and glossy.
Gently fold coconut into egg white mixture.
Drop mixture by rounded teaspoon about 2 inches apart onto greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 325 for about 20 minutes. You want cookies to be set and lightly brown.
Cool on a cookie rack.
2 egg whites
dash salt
1/4 tsp vanilla
2/3 C sugar
1 1/2 C sweetened coconut flakes
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 325.
Beat egg whites, salt, and vanilla until soft peaks form.
While beating, add sugar gradually to egg white mixture. Continue beating until stiff and glossy.
Gently fold coconut into egg white mixture.
Drop mixture by rounded teaspoon about 2 inches apart onto greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 325 for about 20 minutes. You want cookies to be set and lightly brown.
Cool on a cookie rack.
Countdown to National Macaroon Day
National Macaroon Day: May 31, 2012
Authentic Pina Colada Recipe
2 oz cream of coconut (Coco Lopez is good)
1 1/2 oz light rum
2 oz pineapple juice
1 cup ice (crushed)
Pour all ingredients into blender, adding ice last. Blend until smooth, and pour into a collins glass. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and serve.
Is Coconut Good For You?
The Nutritional Value Of A Coconut
Coconut, meat, raw: Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Carbohydrates 15.23 g
- Sugars 6.23 g
- Dietary fibre 9.0 g
Fat 33.49 g
- saturated 29.70 g
- monounsaturated 1.43 g
- polyunsaturated 0.37 g
Protein 3.3 g
Thiamin (Vit. B1) 0.066 mg (5%)
Riboflavin (Vit. B2) 0.02 mg (1%)
Niacin (Vit. B3) 0.54 mg (4%)
Pantothenic acid (B5) 0.300 mg (6%)
Vitamin B6 0.054 mg (4%)
Folate (Vit. B9) 26 mg (7%)
Vitamin C 3.3 mg (6%)
Calcium 14 mg (1%)
Iron 2.43 mg (19%)
Magnesium 32 mg (9%)
Phosphorus 113 mg (16%)
Potassium 356 mg (8%)
Zinc 1.1 mg (11%)
(...from the USDA)
Carbohydrates 15.23 g
- Sugars 6.23 g
- Dietary fibre 9.0 g
Fat 33.49 g
- saturated 29.70 g
- monounsaturated 1.43 g
- polyunsaturated 0.37 g
Protein 3.3 g
Thiamin (Vit. B1) 0.066 mg (5%)
Riboflavin (Vit. B2) 0.02 mg (1%)
Niacin (Vit. B3) 0.54 mg (4%)
Pantothenic acid (B5) 0.300 mg (6%)
Vitamin B6 0.054 mg (4%)
Folate (Vit. B9) 26 mg (7%)
Vitamin C 3.3 mg (6%)
Calcium 14 mg (1%)
Iron 2.43 mg (19%)
Magnesium 32 mg (9%)
Phosphorus 113 mg (16%)
Potassium 356 mg (8%)
Zinc 1.1 mg (11%)
(...from the USDA)
Coconut Shrimp
Ingredients:1/2 C. flour
1 TB sugar
1 tsp ground red pepper
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
2 TB water
2 1/2 C. sweetened flaked coconut
1 lb large shrimp (tail on)
2 C. vegetable oil
Directions:
Combine flour, sugar, red pepper, salt. Beat together eggs and water. Place coconut in shallow dish. Coat shrimp w/flour, dip in egg, then roll in coconut (pressing firmly to coat both sides of shrimp). Heat the oil - cook shrimp in batches until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel.
Coconuts On CafePress
More Resources & Information:
The coconut plam tree is often referred to as the "Tree Of Life". It grows around the world in lowland tropical and subtropical habitats. The coconut palm can grow where annual precipitation is fairly low, and it does well growing near salt water (where salt spray would kill many other plants). The tree itself has a multitude of uses, but the coconut is as versatile an item as you are likely to find. The links below will take you to resources that enumerate these uses and benefits of both the nut and the tree.
Easy Coconut Macaroons
INGREDIENTS:
16 oz shredded coconut
1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 or 15 oz can)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS:
Mix ingredients together. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto generously greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 8 minutes. Cool coconut macaroons slightly; remove to rack.
Read All About 'Em
Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie
INGREDIENTS* 3 C. half-and-half
* 2 eggs
* 3/4 C. sugar
* 1/2 C. flour
* 1/4 tsp salt
* 1 C. flaked coconut, toasted (see below)
* 1 tsp vanilla extract
* 1 (9 inch) pie shell, baked
* 1 C. frozen whipped topping, thawed
DIRECTIONS
1. In a medium saucepan, combine half-and-half, eggs, sugar, flour and salt. Bring to a boil over low heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and stir in 3/4 cup of the coconut and the vanilla extract. Pour into pie shell and chill 2 to 4 hours, or until firm.
2. Top with whipped topping, and with remaining 1/4 cup of coconut.
(Note: To toast coconut, spread it in an ungreased pan and bake in a 350 degree F (175 degrees C) oven for 5 to 7 minutes, or until golden brown, stirring occasionally.)
Coconut Guest Book
So how do you feel about coconuts? Do you love them? Have a favorite recipe or a coconut story?
Leave me a note here and let me know. Or, just say hello.
Thanks for visiting.
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SaintFrantic
Oct 9, 2011 @ 3:44 pm | delete
- Yummy.Thanks for the lens
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SheWritesaLot
Sep 29, 2011 @ 8:40 am | delete
- Why, oh WHY did you have to include those pics of coconut cream pies? Now I'm going to have to drop what I'm doing and go make one. The Kermit vid is hilarious! One of my favorite song, too!
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NorDac
Sep 23, 2011 @ 11:05 am | delete
- My family eats fresh coconut several times a week.
You might like my coconut quiz lens. I've got one set of pictures on how they remove all the shell from the meat without hurting the meat with a machete, all so a set on using a machete to prepare a young coconut to drink the water.
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ideadesigns
Dec 29, 2010 @ 9:58 pm | delete
- These recipe sound so good making me hungry. I love coconut!
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stargazer00
May 29, 2009 @ 5:25 pm | delete
- I love coconut in just about any form. Love to cook with coconut oil. Love the images on this lens. Lensrolled to my Granola lens.
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