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.
[print_this]
Basic Coconut Milk
Ingredients
- 1/2 cups of shredded coconut
- 2 cups of water
- Optional: 2 dates for sweetness
Method
- Put all ingredients in a high powdered blender
- Blend on high for 2-3 minutes.
- Strain thought a nut bag.
- Enjoy this creamy coconut milk.
Tip and Notes
- This recipe will not work very well in a food processor. I tried, and failed.
- You can use a cheese cloth, if you do not have a nut bag.
- You do not have to strain the coconut, but it is recommended.
Here are some fun, kid friendly variations of the basic homemade coconut milk.
Chocolate Coconut Milk
- Basic coconut milk (full recipe)
- 2 -3 Tbsp of cacao powder
- Optional: 2-3 dates
Strawberry Coconut Milk
- Basic coconut milk (full recipe)
- 3 fresh strawberries
- Optional: 2-3 dates
Green Coconut Milk
- Basic coconut milk (full recipe)
- Handful of spinach
- Optional: 2-3 dates
For each recipe, just put all the ingredients in a high powered blender, and blend on hight for 2-3 minutes. [/print_this]
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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!
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? :o)
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! 🙂
Thanks, Angie!
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!
🙂 🙂
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!
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!
Clancy, it is so easy and tasty!
I love nut milk as well, and I enjoy making my own. I try to avoid store bought!
So simple!
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! 🙂
You will love your vitamix, I am sure!
Do it! Get a blender.
Let me know what you think!
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! 🙂