Coconut is a versatile nut and has been liked for its water and succulent flesh. Coconuts are eaten typically by the people living in the coastal areas as these Coconuts grow in abundance there. Coconuts are being used in various ways and the most favorite are the coconut milk.
There is a misconception among people that coconut milk is being secreted by the nut. Coconut Milk is made by adding water to grated coconut and then squeezed to get milk. This extract is sweet and has the awesome taste of the nut (obviously!).
Coconut Milk is used to add depth to a dish. It is added to dishes, at the end to thicken the gravy and give a rich flavor. It is used in both savory and sweet dishes and is tasty in any way. There are about hundreds of dishes containing coconut milk, and below are those I find are the best among them, but you are free to consider otherwise.
1. Curried Coconut Chicken
Ooh, this recipe is so Indian and tasty that just by the look of it, your stomach will growl for sure. The coconut milk added to the recipe adds a rich flavor that is absolutely mouth watering. The chicken in this recipe is soft and succulent and does not take away the actual chicken flavor and thus gives justice to the dish. This curry is paired off with rice. They are the best lunch material. Profound and loaded.
2. Coconut Rice
Coconut rice is being prepared by either soaking rice in coconut milk or cooking it in coconut milk. Both the techniques are equally tasty. Coconut rice is the best for you if you like the taste of coconut a lot. Coconut rice is the best with meat curries. In South India it is paired off with mutton curry and believe me, it is luscious. Sometimes some spices like cardamom, cinnamon stick, etc. Are also added to add extra flavor to the dish.
3. Chingri Malai Curry
Chingri Malai Curry is a Bengali dish containing prawns and coconut milk. It is very popular among the Bengali and is eaten by them during special occasions and weddings. This dish is eaten by them with rice and is also famous among the British living in Kolkata. This is a top seafood curry containing Coconut milk.
4. Meen Moilee
Another seafood dish that tops the list is the Meen Moilee. Meen in the south Indian language means Fish, so the name of the dish roughly translates as Fish Curry. This dish has either Portuguese or Indian origin and has been eaten by people in Singapore, Malaysia, and India. This dish has been made by cooking fish in a predominantly coconut milk based curry. It is really flavoursome.
5. Coconut Milk Panna Cotta
Panna Cotta is a dessert which means ‘cooked cream’ in Italian. This dessert is creamy and soft. Coconut milk Panna Cotta has been prepared by adding coconut milk to the cream when it is cooking. It is left to set and then garnished with berries. This dessert is heavenly. There is nothing more to say; I am right now in the seventh heaven. Looks delectable, doesn’t it?
6. Kerala Mutton Stew
As the name itself suggest, this is mutton gravy with coconut milk from the state of Kerala. The citizens living in Kerala use a lot of coconut in their dishes as it is a coastal state. And since it is the spice capital of the country, the food of this state is associated with coconut one way or the other. It has been paired with rice.
7. Korri Gassi
This dish is from the city of Mangalore in Karnataka and is a made of chicken. The succulent pieces of chicken have been cooked in coconut, coconut milk, and tamarind. This gravy has been served with rice and for an authentic experience, pair it off with typical Mangalore rice.
8. Lentil Coconut Curry
This recipe is from the valleys of South India. Red lentil and coconut milk are cooked together with some spices to create this simple but tasty curry. It pushes up your typical white rice and boring lunch hour with its naive taste. Looks heartwarming, doesn’t it?
9. Thai Chicken Curry
The people of Thailand use a lot of Coconut in their dishes and how can we not mention this dish when we are talking about Coconuts. Situated in the tropical region, Coconuts grow in abundance in Thailand are loved by the people. This dish is a typical Thai dish with its richness. Pair it off with Basmati rice for the best results.
10. Coconut Custard
In this dish, Coconut milk is also added to the natural dish of custard and left to set in the fridge. This dessert has a very coconut-ty flavor and is in fact delicious. Do try to get the recipe online. This dish is worth keeping.
11.Coconut Candy
Who doesn’t love candies? I am sure there is no soul alive that wouldn’t love candies. I don’t know about the masses, but I am a lover of candies containing coconut. And what better way to make them at home. There are lots of recipes involving making candies at home, and the easiest one is the one involving coconut milk. Make these babies during any of your festivals; they are worth it.
12. Coconut Ice-Cream
I am an Ice cream lover, and I also happen to like the taste of coconut. And for me, this flavor in Ice cream is my favourite. Add some coconut shavings on the top and its cherry on top of a cake.
13. Paal Appam
Appam is a dish for the South India. It is a type of dosa but the batter is different and so is the utensil used for this dish. Appam is paired off with sweetened coconut milk and is actually mouth watering. It is an ideal breakfast food.
14. Coconut Cake
Cakes are one of the most sorts after dessert and what better way to celebrate your occasion with a coconut cake. Coconut cakes can be made at home or bought from a bakery. Be whatever these cakes are really first-class. The shavings of coconut on the side of the cake compliment the cake well. This one looks like a very fluffy cloud, right?
15. Goan Mutton Curry
The Goan cuisine also contains a lot of coconut forms in it. As I mentioned earlier, coconuts are a must for those who live in the coastal areas as these grow in abundance there. Goan Mutton Curry represents the Goan cuisine and is luscious enough to be considered a top notch mutton dish.
16. Thai Coconut Soup
Yes, it may sound a little weird, but coconuts are used in soups too. And these soups are in fact good. I have tasted the Indian variety but I have Thai version of this soup is really scrumptious. Its refreshing taste is enough to awaken your taste buds.
17. Thai Green Curry Chicken
Ya. I know. Another Thai dish. But what can I do, when Thailand is having so many dishes containing coconut milk that are really good. And they are not only eaten in Thailand but are famous in India too. The people in Thailand use a kind of green paste to make this delectable dish. And of course the usual spices and baby corn.
18. Gothampu Payasam
Payasam is a sweet dish from the valleys of South India. Some varieties of Payasam contain vermicelli, and other contains rice. In this payasam, broken wheat and Coconut milk are added to give a full flavor. It is eaten by the Keralites during Vishu and has also been used as a dessert during Sadya. Eat it after Sadya to get the local taste and feel.
19. Khow Suey
So here is a Burmese dish that has also come forward in the run and it is Khow Suey. It is a Burmese noodle dish made with egg noodles, meat and coconut milk based curry. It is a onetime dish and is been eaten as it is. Khow Suey is now accepted in Chennai along with all the other Burmese dishes that are finding a way in the busy streets of Chennai.
20. Laksa
Last but not the least is the rice noodle dish called Laksa which has its roots in the Malay cuisine. In this dish vermicelli is used along with seafood in a broth of loaded and spicy coconut milk. Try this dish for lunch to have that real Malay feel.
The versatility of Coconut is known worldwide, and not much is needed to be said on this nut as its usage alone talks a lot. Coconuts are loved by everyone and can be eaten by anyone.
