How Do You Use Creamed Coconut Block?
Creamed coconut, sold as a solid white block, is a versatile ingredient offering diverse culinary uses. It's essentially dehydrated coconut flesh, ground into a cream that solidifies at room temperature.
Here are several ways to utilize creamed coconut blocks:
1. Direct Addition to Dishes:
- Stir it in: You can directly add chunks of creamed coconut to dishes like curries. The block dissolves, creating a thick, rich, subtly sweet texture. [Reference: In its solid form, it can be stirred straight into a dish, where it dissolves to produce a thick, rich texture with just a hint of sweetness. We recommend popping a chunk of it in many of our curries for this reason.]
2. Making Coconut Milk or Cream:
- Dilution: Dilute the creamed coconut with water to create coconut milk or cream. The ratio determines the consistency; more water results in thinner milk. [Reference: It can be used in a few different ways. First, diluted with water to make coconut milk or coconut cream – for 'thin' coconut milk, 120g of the block diluted in… ] For example, 120g of creamed coconut block diluted in water can make thin coconut milk.
3. Replacing Canned Coconut Milk:
- Concentrated Alternative: Creamed coconut offers a concentrated alternative to canned coconut milk, providing a richer, more intense coconut flavor in recipes. [Reference: RICH CREAMED COCONUT - Organic Creamed Coconut is the chef's choice for soups, stews & smoothies. It can be used as a concentrated coconut milk & replace… ]
Examples of Recipes using Creamed Coconut Blocks:
- Curries: Add chunks directly to enhance the richness and creaminess of your curry. [Reference: We recommend popping a chunk of it in many of our curries for this reason.]
- Coconut Rice: Incorporate small pieces into your rice while cooking for added coconut flavor and texture. [Reference: You can cut small chunks off the block and add it to recipes to make coconut rice,… ]
- Soups and Stews: Use as a thickener and to add a subtle sweetness. [Reference: RICH CREAMED COCONUT - Organic Creamed Coconut is the chef's choice for soups, stews & smoothies.]
- Smoothies: Blend in for a creamy, coconutty texture and boost. [Reference: RICH CREAMED COCONUT - Organic Creamed Coconut is the chef's choice for soups, stews & smoothies.]