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Coconut in cooking

(38 Posts)
Sallywally1 Tue 14-Jan-25 11:33:11

Can anyone suggest an alternative to coconut in a curry. I have seen a recipe for chickpea curry using coconut, but. The latter is very calorific, and I am looking for something to use instead. Thanks

Cagsy Sun 19-Jan-25 12:42:31

Another coconut hater here too, I suppose I just automatically avoid any recipes that use it.

SueEH Sun 19-Jan-25 13:20:23

I’m a big fan of dried coconut milk powder; just add a couple of spoonfuls at the end of cooking. It also helps to thicken. I bring it back from the Middle East but think I’ve seen it on sale here.

onedayatatime Sun 19-Jan-25 14:02:57

Substitute coconut milk with cashew cream. Makes 250ml. Soak 130grams of cashews in 200ml. Water for 30 minutes. Transfer the cashews and water to a blender with juice of one lemon., blend till smooth. Store in fridge for up to 1 week. The cream may thicken slightly when cold- simply thin it out with a little water if necessary. This recipe and many more is from my favourite cookbook ATM The Food for Life Cookbook by Tim Spector

Missiseff Sun 19-Jan-25 14:13:31

I always use a tin of chopped tomatoes

keepingquiet Sun 19-Jan-25 14:21:06

I don't use it often but for me there is no replacement for full-fat coconut milk, if this is what OP means.

Otherwise I mostly make curries with a tomato based sauce and have a pot of plain yoghurt on the side to cool it down if I've overdone the chillies!

SparklyGrandma Sun 19-Jan-25 17:34:41

I would divide the amount of coconut required, to a quarter. Creamed coconut will be easy to divide with a knife.
Or use garam masala as a flavour instead of coconut.

posset Sun 19-Jan-25 17:54:16

SueEH

I’m a big fan of dried coconut milk powder; just add a couple of spoonfuls at the end of cooking. It also helps to thicken. I bring it back from the Middle East but think I’ve seen it on sale here.

I use this also, it is a very economical way of using coconut milk/cream. I buy it on Amazon and it lasts for ages.

Mirren Sun 19-Jan-25 20:52:16

There's resuc fat coconut milk .

Mirren Sun 19-Jan-25 20:52:33

Sorry..reduced

Witzend Mon 20-Jan-25 11:28:32

keepingquiet

I don't use it often but for me there is no replacement for full-fat coconut milk, if this is what OP means.

Otherwise I mostly make curries with a tomato based sauce and have a pot of plain yoghurt on the side to cool it down if I've overdone the chillies!

Same. It always goes in a Thai green curry, but we don’t have that very often.

keepingquiet Mon 20-Jan-25 15:17:24

Yes, since I've been on my mediterranean diet there's no Thai food for me!

I do love it though.

ordinarygirl Mon 20-Jan-25 15:20:46

if you mean coconut milk then you can get a lighter version.