FAQ About Canned Coconut Milk

Q: What is coconut milk?

A: Coconut milk is made from pureed shredded coconut meat that has been simmered in water then strained. The result is a rich creamy white liquid.

Q: What are the benefits of using canned coconut milk?

A:  It is dairy and gluten free; a good substitute for people who are looking for non-dairy and gluten free options.

Q: What are the differences between carton coconut milk and canned coconut milk?

A: Canned coconut milk is used in cooking and baking whereas the carton coconut milk is a beverage.

Q: Is all canned coconut milk the same?

A: No, there are sweetened and unsweetened canned coconut milk. So, buy the appropriated type according to your recipe.

When I use a product, I usually prefer not to have leftovers so I don’t have to worry about how to use it up. So, even though my family loves coconut flavors, we will only eat coconut flavored dishes at restaurants. Since I’m cooking more at home these days, I decided to experiment to make coconut flavored dishes. However, one of my criteria is to make sure I don’t have any leftovers so I don’t need to worry about how to store or use it up again. What can people do with a can of coconut milk? With lots of experimenting, I came up with three recipes that each uses one can of coconut milk. I am so excited with what I created, and I wanted to share these recipes with you.

 Do you like eating ribs but don’t necessary want to use a BBQ grill? If so, you will like my coconut rib recipe! These coconut ribs are oven baked, easy to make, flavorful, moist, and tender. I do recommend to marinate the ribs overnight. This allows all the flavors to infuse into the ribs. Marinating the ribs overnight helps make the meat tender and moist.  Save the marinade to use later on the ribs. To be time efficient, while baking the ribs, work on thickening the marinade on the stove. Add balsamic vinegar and reduce the marinate by 50% of its original volume. The balsamic vinegar adds extra flavor. Brush the thickened sauce on to the ribs 10-15 minutes before the ribs are completely cooked. Then increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees and finish baking the ribs. These ribs are so tender, juicy and flavorful. You will love them as an appetizer or a meal.

Don’t have the time to make cupcakes from scratch? With 1 can of coconut milk, one box of cake mix and two eggs, you can have this fast, easy, and delicious coconut cupcakes. I discovered that one can of full fat unsweetened coconut milk can replace both oil and water that a box cake mix calls for. The fat content in the full fat coconut milk also allows me to use less eggs. You can also skip the eggs all together when you are short on eggs.  Without the eggs, the cupcakes will come out slightly denser than with eggs although not as dense as pound cakes. Those no-egg added cupcakes will still be moist and delicious. Sprinkle some toasted coconut flakes on the top before baking to add more coconut flavor. These cupcakes are coconutty and sweet but not overly sweet. They are just perfect for me and my family. In case you are wondering, these cupcakes have less calories and fat than following the box cake instructions (yes, I calculated them). Another sweet reason for using this recipe!

My coconut curry rice meal recipe is simple and versatile. It is versatile because you can use any vegetables or meats to suit your preferences. I use frozen peas and carrots to keep it simple, but you can also use zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms as well. I think most vegetables whether they are frozen, fresh or even canned will go well in this dish. To make this meal more nutritious and healthier, I chose ground turkey and brown jasmine rice. Ground turkey has lower fat content than red meats and the brown rice is more nutritious than white rice. However, ground pork or beef will work well in this recipe, and any long grain rice will work, brown or white too. The best thing about this recipe is that you can make it all in one pot.

Let me know which recipe is your favorite, and share how you use canned coconut milk. Happy Eating!