4 Coconut milk recipes to prepare this beverage at home

4 Coconut milk recipes to prepare this beverage at home

 4 Coconut milk recipes to prepare this beverage at home


Found yourself without any coconut milk while in cooking a delicious dish? Or maybe you read the back labels on the cans and were astonished by the amount of unpronounceable added ingredients. Regardless of the reason, you can easily solve these issues by following these coconut milk recipes and prepare your own natural and additive-free stock.

 

Coconut milk recipes: 4 ways to prepare it

Preparing your own coconut milk recipes is easier than you might think, and much healthier too. Remember all those ingredients on the can labels? Well, when you’re making your own you only need two: coconut and water.

 

Coconut milk with shredded coconut

coconut milk recipes shredded
Source: Premium Spices Storbay

Ingredients

  • 1 package of shredded coconut, unsweetened;
  • 4 cups of hot water (almost boiling).

 

Directions

Put the coconut in a blender, pour the water on top and let the mixture sit for a few minutes. This will give the coconut time to begin releasing its flavor. Blend the ingredients for 1 or 2 minutes until the mixture begins to look milky.

Using a nut milk bag or a thin towel, strain it into a mason jar or into an air-tight container. Squeeze the bag to release as much milk as possible.

You can drink the milk right away or store it in the refrigerator.

 

Coconut milk with coconut chips

coconut milk recipes flakes
Source: Scratch Mommy

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of dried coconut chips (preferably organic);
  • 2 cups of warm water (almost boiling).

 

Directions

Put the chips in a high-speed blender and pour the water on top. Blend for 2 minutes or until getting a thick and creamy mixture.

Strain the milk using a strainer or a nut milk bag into a bowl. Ball up the strainer and squeeze hard. Transfer the milk to an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge.

 

Coconut milk using fresh coconut

coconut milk recipes fresh
Unsplash

Ingredients

  • 1 mature coconut (brown);
  • 1 1/2 cups of water.

 

Directions

Punch holes in the “eyes” on the coconut using a corkscrew or a screwdriver. Drain the water out and discard it. Place the coconut over the counter, cover it with a cloth and crack it with the help of a hammer. The cloth will prevent any flying parts.

Open the coconut, place each half on top of a kitchen towel and hit around with the hammer to dislodge the flesh inside. You can then either try to remove it with your hands or use a knife to release the flesh from the shell. A good scooping spoon can also help.

Put the coconut flesh in a high-speed blender and pour 1 cup water on top. Blend it on the highest speed possible for 5 to 10 minutes. It is normal that it gets a pulpy texture.

Transfer the mixture into fine mesh sieve lined with a cheesecloth to pour the milk into a bowl. Pour the remaining 1/2 cup of water into the blender, give it a spin to get any leftovers and add it to the strainer too.

Ball up the strainer and squeeze it as hard as you can. Transfer the milk to an airtight glass jar or container. Keep it in the fridge for 5 days maximum.

 

Coconut milk flavored

coconut milk recipes flavored
Source: Plated

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of shredded coconut, unsweetened;
  • 4 cups of water;
  • 1 date;
  • 1/2 tsp. of vanilla extract;
  • A pinch of salt.

 

Directions

Combine 3 cups of water and all the remaining ingredients in a high-speed blender. Blend for 2 minutes or until you believe it is well combined. Scoop a bit of the mixture to test the flavor and add more dates, vanilla or salt if needed. If it is too solid, dry and thick, add the remaining cup of water.

Strain the milk into a bowl using a nut milk bag. Ball it up and squeeze as hard as you can to release as much milk as possible. Transfer it to an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. It will be good up to 5 days.

Shake it before drinking it, as the ingredients might separate due to the lack of added preservatives.

 

Substitutes for coconut milk

Even if you know how to prepare different coconut milk recipes, there might be occasions when you don’t want to use it.

Almond milk is one of the best coconut milk substitutes in general. It contains fewer calories and fats, but it has a sweet and nutty taste that makes it pleasant to drink and gives the recipes an interesting flavor.

Soy and nut types of milk are also generally considered good replacements. However, if you’re using them to cook you may want to mix half-and-half of sour cream or Greek yogurt to thicken their consistency.



Black seed oil: benefits and side effects

Black seed oil: benefits and side effects

 Black seed oil: benefits and side effects


Black seed oil, also known as black caraway, black cumin, black onion seed, kalonji and nigella sativa oil is an oil extracted from the seeds of a southwestern Asia bush, the Nigella Sativa. It has been used for centuries as a cure-for-all treatment, and traces of it were even found in some tombs in Egypt, proving its widespread use.

 

The number of benefits with which nigella sativa seeds are credited with is nothing short of impressive. As the researchers of a 2018 study put it: “N. sativa seed is a valuable herbal medicine that is traditionally used for the treatment of all diseases except the death.”

 

Unfortunately, science has only recently started to evaluate the truth behind them, but even when the results are inconclusive, they seem to present positive indications.

 

Health benefits

Black seed oil: benefits and side effects

Due to its many active components, namely thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone, dithymoquinone, thymol, carvacrol, nigellimine, nigellicine, nigellidine and alphahederin, black seed oil can be beneficial for the body in general and help treat several different disorders and diseases.

Improves the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis: in a 2012 study, supplementation with black seed oil helped reduced swollen joints and morning stiffness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Lowers high blood pressure: according to a 2013 study, nigella sativa oil helped reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly without any side effects.

Improves dyslipidemia: supplementation with black seed oil helps to lower LDL-cholesterol levels as well as triglycerides concentrations, according to a 2016 systematic review.

Reduces asthma symptoms: according to a 2017 thorough literature review, this oil presents bronchodilation, antihistaminic, anti-inflammatory, anti-leukotrienes and immunomodulatory effects that may help to reduce and control asthma symptoms. Further larger clinical trials are still required to confirm this benefit.

May help treat fungi-based infections: in vitro and in vivo studies have shown indications that black cumin oil can potentially help fighting infections triggered by fungi, thanks to its content of active agents such as thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone and thymol.

Anti-cancer potential: according to a 2016 study, black seed oil shows anti-cancer potential due to its “potent anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-oxidant, anti-mutagenic, and anti-metastatic” effects. Clinical studies are still lacking to assess how to benefit from these effects.

 

Dermatological benefits

A 2015 research published in the Journal of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery compiled the benefits of black seed oil from skin care and the studies backing up these claims.

The researchers confirmed that black cumin oil has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic effects. It also presents anti-inflammatory properties that were used successfully in the treatment of conditions such as acne vulgaris and psoriasis.

Furthermore, it promotes wound healing, albeit not affecting the collagen synthesis. Nigella sativa oil was also shown to improve skin conditions such as vitiligo and eczemas.

 

How to use

Black seed oil can be used in a number of ways depending on your goal.

You can apply it topically directly to the skin or add it to massage oils, shampoos or homemade skin care recipes. If high-quality, it can also be used for cooking and baking. Supplements of this oil are also available.

 

Dosage

dosage black seed oil
Source: Saúde Dica

Currently, there are no set daily recommendations for how much black seed oil you should take to enjoy its benefits.

If you’re taking a supplement, follow the indications on the label for a proper intake. For the remaining cases, discuss it with your doctor, who is in possession of your medical history and knows which medications you are taking, and is better informed to indicate the dosage you can take.

 

Side effects

Nigella sativa oil is generally considered safe for consumption when used in moderation.

Due to its vast effects, it may interact with several medications, particularly those for blood pressure. You must always discuss the intake of black seed oil with your doctor before you start taking it. 

Some people have also reported allergies to the topical contact with the oil, as well as an upset stomach upon the intake.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should abstain from using it as the potential risks for the infants’ health has not been assessed yet. 

 

How to make

The bad news is that, unlike other oils, to prepare this one at home you will need to buy an oil press machine. The good news is that you can prepare a high-quality and pure oil at home and avoid all the risk of contamination and use of low-quality processes of the bought-type oil.

Make sure to buy organic seeds to ensure a purer oil. Wash and dry them thoroughly and add them to the machine funnel. After putting the oil bottle in the receptacle, all you have to do is turn the machine and wait as it extracts and pours the oil into the bottle.

Keep the oil in a warm and dry place.