The day I watched my friend Chef Benjamin “BJ” Dennis tap and crack open a brown, hairy coconut, my food life changed. I freed my taste buds and made my own batch of milk. No more cans with lots of words to decipher and heavy-handed sweet flavor. My training wheels were pried off my pink banana boat seat bike, culinarily speaking. Here is how to ride the DIY-nut-milk trend in style.
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Start with mature coconuts
Image Credit: Clay Williams There are several varieties of coconuts. Likely your local grocery store or specialty market will have mature ones.
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How to pick out a good one
Image Credit: Clay Williams Be sure to shake and listen for the water. I find that darker-husk strains and “dirty” eyes indicate you’ll have a harder time processing the fruit.
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Crack the coconut
Image Credit: Clay Williams I use a hammer to tap the eyes and then make quick hits using a horizontal motion. A knife or Coco Jack (mallet) works fine too. The drier the inside, the harder this step.
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Open the coconut
Image Credit: Clay Williams Pry open the coconut with your hands, and you’ll see that fresh meat.
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Remove the meat
Image Credit: Clay Williams Use a paring knife to remove the meat from the husk. A little brown skin will cover the flesh.
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Add the meat to a blender
Image Credit: Clay Williams Don’t worry about that remaining skin. Put all the meat in a blender.
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Add warm water
Image Credit: Clay Williams Add 3/4 cup of very warm water for each coconut. The less water, the more flavor.
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Blend on pulse
Image Credit: Clay Williams Pulse, pulse, pulse.
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Strain the mixture into a bowl
Image Credit: Clay Williams I’m using a double mesh strainer here. Wanna get fancy? Buy nut milk bags.
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Reserve those flakes
Image Credit: Clay Williams Bag those unsweetened flakes, and freeze them. They’re perfect for desserts or chicken tender breading.
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Use for cocktails, smoothies or dinner
Image Credit: Clay Williams The magic, fresh alternative to milk will last three to four days in the fridge. If you wish, add 1 teaspoon of sweetener.
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Pin it
Image Credit: Tiffany Egbert/SheKnows Pin this article so you can make your own coconut milk.
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