When I was a kid, heck, when I was an adult before transitioning to the vegan lifestyle I drank milk, and especially loved chocolate milk. For the last few weeks, I have been purchasing unsweetened coconut milk to add to my smoothies to make it extra creamy.
I sometimes miss drinking something other then water. I decided to take a big sip of the coconut milk I had in the fridge. I spat it out. It tasted like watered down something, and actually doesn’t even smell like coconut. That got me thinking- perhaps I could just make my own with shredded coconut and water. So I did.
I originally tried to make it in a food processor and that didn’t really workout as planned. I don’t think it is powerful enough. Once I had my Blendtec in hand, I tried it again. It worked like a charm.
My homemade coconut milk smells and tastes like coconut, unlike the store bought variety I have encountered. It is creamy and just lovely.
Basic Coconut Milk
- 1/2 cups of shredded coconut
- 2 cups of water
- Optional: 2 dates for sweetness
- Put all ingredients in a high powder blender- I used my Blendtec Wildside.
- Blend on hight for 2-3 minutes.
- Enjoy this creamy coconut milk.
*Please note, this recipe will not work very well in a food processor. I tried, and failed.
Here are some fun, kid friendly variations of the basic coconut milk.
Chocolate Coconut Milk
- Basic coconut milk (use full recipe and unsweetened)
- 2 -3 tbsp of cacao powder
- 2-3 dates
Strawberry Coconut Milk
- Basic coconut milk (use full recipe and unsweetened)
- 3 fresh strawberries
- 2-3 dates
Green Coconut Milk
- Basic coconut milk (use full recipe and unsweetened)
- Handful of spinach
- 2-3 dates
For each recipe, just put all the ingredients in a high powered blender, I use the Blendtec Wildside and blend on hight for 2-3 minutes.
Disclosure: CMP.LY/5
coconut milk, recipes, vegan, vegetarian
I am the Good Girl Gone Green. Seeing garbage cans overflowing with recyclables breaks my heart.
What a lovely solution. Sometimes, you just have to do it yourself…
Pearl
I like making my own foods at home. Seems got taste so much better!
Great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Nicole!
loving all of these different recipes. yummy!
Thanks for linking up on Successful Saturdays!
Thanks, Angie!
Great idea! Sometimes making your own is the only way to go. Lol
Hopping over from the Weekend Blog Hop. Hope you can visit me this weekend at http://librarystorytimeabcs.blogspot.com
Enjoy your weekend!
K
Loops! I forgot to mention that I am also from SASS?
)
I love making my own foods! TAste so much better!
Great ideas! I also love the look of your blog
Sandie
Thank you, Sandi! So sweet of you to say!
I love anything to do with coconut. This sounds interesting and easy to make…
-SASS
http://happychinadoll.blogspot.ca/2012/05/truth-or-dare.html
Doesn’t everything taste better with coconut?
I haven’t tried making my own coconut milk yet, so I’m glad to see how easy it is. Love all the variations you came up with.
Thanks, Jeanette! The chocolate coconut milk is awesome!
Great idea, and looks pretty easy
Often times home made is much better than store bought.
SASS – http://www.littlecooltoys.com/blog/healthy-muffins/
Thanks, Eva! I try to make homemade as much as possible, and skip the store bought!
Looks wonderful! Definitely going to try this
Thanks for sharing!
This looks really good. I never thought of making my own coconut milk. Thank you for the inspiration!
Clancy, it is so easy and tasty!
YUM! I’ve never liked commercial coconut milk for that very reason … it just simply didn’t taste like coconut. This version sound wonderful. Now I’m imagining the basic recipe with, perhaps, some orange for a decadent Pina Colada type concoction.
Let me know if you try it, Cyndi!
I love the taste of coconut and they are super good for you
I’ve been using coconut water as the base to my smoothies – with a splash of almond milk too!
Coconut water is so good in smoothies!
Oops forgot to say, thank you for participating in SASS this week!
http://www.multitestingmommy.com/2012/05/show-some-sass-with-saturday-stop-share.html
We are so glad you came to another week of our fun “Strut Your Stuff Saturday”. Please join us again! -The Sisters
Can’t wait to try this! Thanks!
Sounds so simple! I can’t wait to try!
So simple!
Wow, there are things we never knew that are so simple and easy to make. I’m totally loving this, especially with the different varieties to try out.
Thanks, Nekky! Enjoy!
This is so darn smart!! I need to try this. I have several nut milk recipes on my blog, but need to make coconut milk – ASAP!
I love your blog and so glad we share a love for the earth and live with environmental mindfulness! This is a big part of my blog, and so I always appreciate others who bring the concept of green living into the kitchen.
Have a beautiful day!
Be Well,
–Amber
I love nut milk as well, and I enjoy making my own. I try to avoid store bought!
That chocolate and the strawberry version sound divine – good for you and a real treat for kids – thanks so much for sharing your experience. I have a vitamix so it would be interesting to try
thanks! Let me know if you like it!
Love all your smoothie recipes and I may have to put the blender on my wish list for next year!
Do it! You wont regret it!
Oh this is so interesting. Cannot wait to try it
Thanks for linking up to TASTY TUESDAY! OX
My pleasure! Let me know if you try it!
I would love for you to come by and share this post on the Creative Corner Hop. The linky party starts on Monday and stays open all week.
Sandy
Cherished Handmade Treasures
This is a great idea! I don’t have a food processor but saving for a vitamix. When I get that I can make this for my family! Awesome! Stopping by from GFVM’s blog hop and enjoying ALL your posts, but this one caught my eye!!
I am a new follower on FB 
Cindy
You will love your vitamix, I am sure!
Oh this is great! It sounds fantastic! I can’t wait to try!
Let me know what you think!
I have been without a blender for years. I feel like I didn’t even use it that much before it died on me. Seeing your ideas really makes me want another one
Thanks for linking up with me at last week’s Drab to Fab! Hope you’ll come back this week and link up again. I love seeing what you’re up to!
http://www.amynjesse.com/2012/05/drab-to-fab-link-up-features.html
Amy @ Sugar and Spice
Do it! Get a blender.
I must say all of your favorite thing friday recipes that you link up make me drool and this is no exception. LOVE some coconut milk! Thanks so much for linking up again. As always I enjoy your blog so much.
Thanks, Jenny!
Thank you for your submission on Nourishing Treasures’ Make Your Own! Monday link-up.
Check back later tonight when the new link-up is running to see if you were one of the top 3 featured posts!
[...] Good Girl Gone Green- Stephanie’s blog is full of tips and tricks for more healthy, green life, like how to grow a garden in low light. And did you know you can make your own, TASTY coconut milk? [...]
I recently started making coconut milk for my son (he is allergic to milk), and I’ve even made yogurt with it. I do it very much the same way. Thanks for sharing with Healthy 2Day Wednesday; come back tomorrow to see if you were featured!
Mmmm, homemade coconut yogurt. That sounds lovely!
I have actually only ever used coconut milk in curry never even thought about making my own. Thanks for making it look so easy to do!
-SASS
It tastes so good!
[...] how to make coconut milk at home, from the Good Girl Gone Green [...]
I have recently started making my own coconut milk and have followed some recipes to blend the shredded coconut with water then strain it. I have tried this but the milk is watery and the cream separates from the coconut. I was looking for creamy coconut milk recipes and came across your recipe. I have a vitamix so hopefully that is powerful enough. I was just wondering, does this taste thick and creamy like it does out of a can and is it nice and smooth?
Many thanks
I tried this yesterday and it turned out a bit slimy. As if I was mixing coconut butter with water. Not sure if it was because of the brand of shredded coconut I used, Trader Joes. Maybe I blended it too long, has this ever happened to you before? What brand of coconut do you use?
It happened to me when I used my food processor, not really when I use my Blentec which is pretty much a vitamix.
The oils from the coconut will be released when blending. I just strain mine or give it a good shake in the container. You could also try almond/coconut milk which will blend much better and you can strain it. This is what I do a lot. Try 1/2 cup of coconut, 1/2 cup of soaked almonds, 4 cups of water, vanilla and sweetener of choice. This will take away the sliminess!
Also, you could add irish moss or 1Tbsp of sunflower/soy lecithin to make the coconut milk creamy.
Or if all fails, you can use the actually meat from the coconut. I just do not have access to coconuts. That is why I use shredded coconut: http://healthyblenderrecipes.com/recipes/home_made_raw_coconut_milk/
Also I am using a Vitamix. I am afraid to use a nut bag to strain the milk because of all the greasy/slimy leftovers that will for sure be a pain to clean out of the bag.