Best Fresh Coconut Milk Recipes

SHRIMP POACHED IN COCONUT MILK WITH FRESH HERBS (YERRA MOOLEE)

Steps:

• Shell and devein shrimp. Wash them thoroughly, and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed pan, and add onions. Over high heat, fry the onions until they turn golden brown (about 10 minutes) , stirring constantly to prevent burning. Reduce heat to medium, add garlic, ginger, and chilies, and fry for an additional 2 minutes. Add turmeric and coriander, stir rapidly for 15 seconds, and add coconut milk and salt. Cook the sauce, uncovered, until it thickens (about 10 minutes). Stir frequently to ensure that the sauce does not stick and burn.
• Add shrimp, mix, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, covered, for 5-7 minutes, or until the shrimp is cooked through. Do not overcook the shrimp, or they will become tough and chewy. Check for salt, stir in minced cilantro leaves, and serve.

FRESH COCONUT MILK

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Use a metal skewer or ice pick to pierce two of the soft spots at the top, where the "eyes" are. Drain the liquid and save for use in other recipes.
• Place the coconut on a cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let it cool until it can be handled (about 5 minutes).
• If it is not already cracked open, place the coconut on a hard surface and tap with a hammer until the shell breaks.
• Remove the white flesh with a spoon or table knife. Peel off the thin, brown inner skin with a vegetable peeler.
• Grate the coconut pieces on the fine side of a manual grater or cut into coarse pieces and grind in a food processor.
• In a blender (or food processor fitted with the metal blade), process the coconut and hot water for about 2 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes.
• Strain the mixture through a coffee filter into a small bowl, pressing down hard on the solid grated coconut flesh to squeeze out all the liquid. For thinner milk, add a little more water.
• Use in any recipe calling for coconut milk.
• Note: Fresh coconut milk should be used immediately, it loses its flavor even if refrigerated.

FRESH UNSWEETENED COCONUT CREAM AND MILK

Steps:

• Remove flesh from shell of coconut (drink the water, its good for you!), then peel the dark skins off the chuncks of white meat.
• Cut the meat into 1 to 2 inch chunks and place them in a HEAVY DUTY food processor fitted with a steel blade.
• Grind for 30 to 60 seconds. Pause to scrape down th sides of the processor bowl; then pulse and blend until the meat turns to pulp.
• Add the cup of warm water and process for 30 seconds. Then transfer the pulp and liquid to a large mixing bowl with a pour spout.
• "Milk" the coconut by massaging and squeezing the meat at least 89 times (yes, not 88 and not 90!). According to Su-Mei, this is a Thai ritual believed to produce a rich and creamy coconut milk.
• HOW TO CRACK A COCONUT: Choose a good coconut, one that feels heavy for its size. Shake it and listen for sloshing. The "eyes" on top should be uniform dark brown. To crack, place a Phillips screwdriver in one of the three eyes and hit it with a hammer to punch a hole. Repeat on another eye. Drain off the liquid and drink. Put the coconut on center rack of 375F oven, bake for 20 minutes. Remove and let cool to room temperature Lay on a hard cement surface, strike a few good blows with a hammer until cracked. Break into four or five manageable pieces, and holding a piece with a dish towel, remove the meat from the shell with a flat head screwdriver. It should come off easily. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the hard dark rind.

SHRIMP POACHED IN COCONUT MILK WITH FRESH HERBS (YERRA MOOLEE)

Steps:

• Preparation Shell and devein shrimp. Wash them thoroughly, and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed pan, and add onions. Over high heat, fry the onions until they turn golden brown (about 10 minutes) , stirring constantly to prevent burning. Reduce heat to medium, add garlic, ginger, and chilies, and fry for an additional 2 minutes. Add turmeric and coriander, stir rapidly for 15 seconds, and add coconut milk and salt. Cook the sauce, uncovered, until it thickens (about 10 minutes). Stir frequently to ensure that the sauce does not stick and burn.
• Add shrimp, mix, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, covered, for 5-7 minutes, or until the shrimp is cooked through. Do not overcook the shrimp, or they will become tough and chewy. Check for salt, stir in minced cilantro leaves, and serve.
• NoteThis dish has a lot of gravy and must be served with rice. Best, of course, is plain cooked rice; then all the flavors can be enjoyed without any interference from the pilaf spices.
• From Classic Indian Cooking © 1980 by Julie Sahni. Reprinted with permission by William Morrow and Company, Inc.
• Buy the full book from Amazon.