4 Ways to Make Coconut Milk

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Coconut milk is commonly used as a staple ingredient in Indian and Thai recipes and adds a delicious taste to smoothies and many desserts. Packaged one can be expensive, but you can make it yourself easily, from both shredded and fresh coconut. Read the article to learn how to make coconut milk both ways.

Ingrediants

• Prepare the milk from the shredded coconut

  • 1 bag of shredded coconut
  • Waterfall

  • Prepare the milk from the dried coconut

    Equal quantities of each:

    • Dried coconut
    • Milk or water (soy milk is fine too) the use of milk is optional

    • Prepare fresh coconut milk

      Coconut

    • Prepare the freshly chopped coconut milk

      • 2 cups of fresh coconut pulp
      • Hot water

      Steps

      Method 1 of 4: Prepare the milk from the shredded coconut

      

      Step 1. Buy a bag of shredded coconut

      Look for the unsweetened one in the supermarket aisle next to the baked goods. If you can't find shredded coconut, sliced coconut is pretty good too.

      

      Step 2. Measure the shredded coconut

      Each cup of coconut will turn into two cups of milk. Dose it in a blender or food processor.

      

      Step 3. Boil some water

      You will need two cups of water for each coconut. Measure out the number of cups needed in a saucepan. Put the saucepan on a stove on a high flame. Let the water come to a full boil.

      

      Step 4. Pour the water over the coconut

      Pour it directly into the blender. If the blender is small, you may need to repeat this step. Use a spoon to mix the dough well.

      

      Step 5. Blend the coconut with the water

      Put the lid on the blender and blend the coconut and water until you get a mixture that is as homogeneous as possible. Make sure you hold the blender lid firmly with one hand, as blending hot substances can cause it to fly off unexpectedly.

      

      Step 6. Filter the coconut pieces

      Place cheesecloth or colander on a large bowl. Gently pour the mixture through the fabric, filtering out the solid pieces. The liquid left in the bowl is fresh coconut milk. If you're using cheesecloth, grab it and squeeze out the remaining milk before discarding the solid coconut.

      

      Step 7. Store the coconut milk

      Pour the milk into a container with a lid and keep it in the fridge. The milk fat will naturally rise to the lid of the jar. Shake the milk before using it, so the fat will mix again with the water.

      Method 2 of 4: Making Milk from Dried Coconut

      Dried coconut tends to be finer than shredded coconut. In some countries it is easier to find the former than the latter.

      

      Step 1. Mix equal amounts of coconut and milk or water in a small saucepan

      Not everyone agrees to use cow's or other plant milk to make coconut milk; you decide if you like it or not. It's okay to use water and it's okay to use plant-based milk as well

      

      Step 2. Simmer over low heat for 2-4 minutes

      Stir frequently and don't allow it to start boiling.

      

      Step 3. Filter through a sieve lined with gauze or muslin

      Pour the liquid into a bowl.

      

      Step 4. Squeeze the coconut into the cheesecloth

      Aim to get as much liquid out of the gauze as possible before removing the coconut. Wait for the mixture to cool before squeezing the gauze to avoid burning your hands.

      

      Step 5. Finished

      Use coconut milk in the doses required by your recipes or as an ingredient in a drink.

      Method 3 of 4: Making Milk from Fresh Coconut

      

      Step 1. Open the coconut

      Place a fresh, not overripe coconut on a flat, sturdy surface in the kitchen. Hold it steady on one side with one hand and use a butcher's knife to make circular cuts around its "eyes" (the three holes at one end). The easiest way to do this is to hit it, for example with a machete, in the same spot, until you make a deep enough cut. And continue like this until you get a circular lid that can be removed from the coconut.

      • Use a sharp knife. One that doesn't cut well could slip and injure your hand.
      • Another way to open a coconut is to wrap it in a kitchen towel and place it on a hard surface. Use a rolling pin or hammer to hit it in the center; it will break in half. If you use this method, first make a hole in the coconut, drain the water out and set it aside.

      

      Step 2. Make sure the coconut is fresh

      Smell the coconut and check the pulp. If the smell is good and the pulp is moist and white, you can use it. Throw away the coconut if it smells bad or if the pulp is dry and yellowed.

      

      Step 3. Set the coconut water aside

      Immediately pour it into the blender.

      

      Step 4. Collect the pulp

      Use a spoon to scoop it from inside the coconut. Try taking each piece of white coconut off the walnut walls, and don't forget to scrape it off the "lid" you removed at the beginning as well. The pulp should have a texture similar to that of a firm melon and should curl easily around the spoon. Put the pulp you collected in the blender.

      

      Step 5. Blend the coconut water and pulp

      Close the blender with the lid and turn it on at high speed until the water and pulp are completely mixed and homogeneous. At this point you can strain the solid parts from the coconut milk, or leave them as part of the drink. If the fresh pulp is soft, many may like it in a glass of coconut milk, just like with orange juice.

      

      Step 6. Store the coconut milk

      Pour the fresh milk into a jar. Close the container with the lid and keep it in the fridge until you are ready to use it.

      Method 4 of 4: Prepare Fresh Grated Coconut Milk

      Using this method you will get very thick coconut milk.

      

      Step 1. Scrape the coconut pulp into a bowl

      

      Step 2. Transfer the shredded coconut to a blender

      

      Step 3. Add just over a cup of hot water

      

      Step 4. Blend everything

      Press the blender button for just a few seconds. It would be wise to press the lid of the blender with a folded towel while it pulses, to prevent it from being pushed away by the heat inside the jug.

      

      Step 5. Remove the coconut pieces

      Push them through a sieve lined with gauze or muslin.

      

      Step 6. Pour the thick liquid into a glass jar to store in the refrigerator

      Or, use it immediately as an ingredient in a recipe or drink.

      Advice

      • This milk can be stored in the fridge for one or two days.
      • Coconut milk can be frozen.