Author Topic: What to do with frozen coconut milk and shredded young coconut?  (Read 1427 times)

centwise

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What to do with frozen coconut milk and shredded young coconut?
« on: February 18, 2020, 10:05:21 AM »
Hi All,

In the spirit of Frugal February and Eat Everything In the House, I'm trying to use up some items that have been occupying space in my freezer. A couple of years ago I spotted these items 2-for-1 at an Asian store: frozen shredded young coconut, and frozen coconut milk.

I'd like to use them up but I'm drawing a blank. Any ideas? A favourite recipe you could point me toward?

I was leaning toward a curry (or possibly a sweet dessert). It's complicated by the fact that I don't want to buy any groceries so I would be limited to the veggies that I have on hand (yam, potatoes, frozen peas, spinach and green beans). I have Indian spices and a Thai curry paste. I also have frozen meat and fish. Suggestions please! Thanks in advance.




Moonwaves

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Re: What to do with frozen coconut milk and shredded young coconut?
« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2020, 10:15:38 AM »
Put most of the things you have in a pot and cook is the short version. For a slightly longer version, I would take:
frozen coconut milk (defrost)
yam
frozen peas
spinach
green beans
Thai curry paste
frozen meat (defrost)

Defrost meat and depending on what it is, maybe fry it a bit to brown it/start cooking it. Chop yam into small bits and put it in a pot with just about enough water to cover. Bring to the boil then reduce heat to a simmer. Add the meat, coconut milk and Thai curry paste. Let it sit and simmer for a while. About ten minutes before you want to eat throw in peas and green beans. If you need to add more liquid, throw in some boiling water at this stage. Then add the spinach.

ixtap

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Re: What to do with frozen coconut milk and shredded young coconut?
« Reply #2 on: February 18, 2020, 10:27:50 AM »
Do you have rice? You could make a lovely rice pudding.

Tris Prior

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Re: What to do with frozen coconut milk and shredded young coconut?
« Reply #3 on: February 18, 2020, 11:26:23 AM »
I make this recipe a lot; it is good for using up whatever veg you have in the house and it's really tasty:
https://www.budgetbytes.com/spicy-coconut-vegetable-stir-fry/ Sometimes I add tofu.

This is another quick go-to and it works with red curry paste too if that's whatyou have:
https://pipingpotcurry.com/thai-green-curry-pressure-cooker/


TVRodriguez

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Re: What to do with frozen coconut milk and shredded young coconut?
« Reply #4 on: February 18, 2020, 11:30:44 AM »
The only use I have for coconut milk is to make coquito:

https://www.goya.com/en/recipes/coquito-coconut-eggnog

As for the shredded coconut, I'd add it to a bar of soap but otherwise nothing.

centwise

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Re: What to do with frozen coconut milk and shredded young coconut?
« Reply #5 on: February 18, 2020, 11:56:45 AM »
Wow great replies already! Thank you!
I'll look it over in more detail after work. More ideas are welcome!:)

A few replies:
--Yes, I have rice! Actually four different kinds (eager to use those up as well). I have enough coconut to make a curry AND a pudding (but probably not on the same day)

--A.. bar of... soap?? --mystified

--centwise

TVRodriguez

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Re: What to do with frozen coconut milk and shredded young coconut?
« Reply #6 on: February 18, 2020, 01:23:51 PM »

--A.. bar of... soap?? --mystified


LOL.  I mean for the texture -- it's got to be good for the skin, right?  I don't like the texture of shredded coconut myself, so I can't imagine eating it.

renata ricotta

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Re: What to do with frozen coconut milk and shredded young coconut?
« Reply #7 on: February 18, 2020, 01:48:17 PM »
Both are great for morning fruit & veg smoothies. It would go well thrown into the blender with any combination of the following (fresh or frozen on everything - if everything is fresh add ice for a colder texture). Try to have a balance of fruit and veggies - all fruit will be a sugar bomb, and all veggies will probably be too bitter for most people.

- Kale
- Spinach
- Berries
- Mango
- Pineapple
- Orange
- Apple
- Banana
- Baby carrots
- Celery
- Cucumber

Shredded coconut is also tasty in oatmeal with berries, nuts, etc. Or added to any granola. Toasted shredded coconut goes well on top of most baked desserts.

I also enjoy coconut milk in my iced coffee in lieu of regular milk (others also like it in hot coffee). Cold brew is ridiculously easy, but you can also just put strong brewed coffee in the refrigerator and pour it over ice after it's cool.

[Edit - missed the part about not having fruit in the house and not wanting to buy more groceries. Maybe save this for next month, then if you still have some in the freezer. Gentle suggestion that maybe you should consider at least a little trip to the grocery store if you truly aren't going to eat any fruit and what sounds like pretty few veggies for the remainder of the month! I get a pretty reasonably priced CSA box with random seasonal produce (year round because I'm in California) and like the challenge to eat it all, although sometimes stuff ends up getting thrown in a smoothie if I can't find anything more interesting to do with it. Cheap, local, varied, and I always get my recommended fruits and veggies.]
« Last Edit: February 18, 2020, 01:54:21 PM by bridget »

centwise

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Re: What to do with frozen coconut milk and shredded young coconut?
« Reply #8 on: February 18, 2020, 11:02:28 PM »
Thanks, all!

I mostly followed Moonwaves suggestion, but I decided to use Indian spices instead of Thai curry paste, partly because I had some curry leaves in the freezer. And I used frozen fish to save time; it would have taken a lot longer to thaw and cook the meaet (stew-beef or pork). So... spinach, yam, peas, onion, coconut milk with basa and lots of yummy indian spices, served over brown rice.

It was pretty good! -- similar to a south-Indian curry that I've eaten in restaurants. I'd give it about 3.5 stars. I have lots of leftovers and will be happy to eat it for a couple of days. But I won't buy those frozen coconut products again. Both were relatively flavorless (I usually love coconut milk), and I have to agree with TVRodriguez about the frozen young coconut: it's like long white worms with very little flavor and a slightly crunchy texture.

[Edit - missed the part about not having fruit in the house and not wanting to buy more groceries. Maybe save this for next month, then if you still have some in the freezer. Gentle suggestion that maybe you should consider at least a little trip to the grocery store if you truly aren't going to eat any fruit and what sounds like pretty few veggies for the remainder of the month!

Thanks Bridget! ... I do have some apples (and carrots) that I didn't mention. And I'm just postponing grocery shopping for a few more days... I plan to do a big salad shop on the weekend! :)