Thai curry get its consistency from coconut milk.
The coconut contains a multitude of uses beneath its rustic shell. The white meat of the coconut can be dried and ground into flour, while the water in the hollow of the coconut is filled with nutrients and can be found in many health drinks. Coconut milk and cream are rich, flavorful substitutes for cow's milk and are especially useful for vegan cooks and those with dairy allergies. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Preparation
Neither coconut milk nor coconut cream are liquids found inside of a coconut. Coconut milk and cream are actually created by stewing freshly grated coconut in boiling water. After several hours the mixture is pressed, strained and allowed to rest so the cream may rise to the top. After skimming the cream, the coconut milk is diluted with water to produce the desired thickness of coconut milk. When making cream, the top layer is not skimmed away. The proportion of coconut used for coconut milk is different than that of coconut cream. Coconut milk is produced by boiling coconut with water on a 1 to 1 ratio, while coconut cream is made from one part water to four parts grated coconut.
Uses
Extremely rich and thick, coconut cream can be splashed in coffee or tea, whipped into a decadent dessert topping or made into homemade, dairy-free ice cream. Stirring a splash of lemon juice into a can of coconut milk and refrigerating the mixture results in a spread that is comparable to cream cheese. Coconut milk is slightly more versatile given its lower fat content and thinner consistency. Not only does coconut milk form the base for most traditional Thai curry dishes, but it can be used in baked goods for a sweet dessert. You can also substitute coconut milk for any recipe that calls for cream, though a light note of coconut flavor may be present in the finished product.
Where to Find
Coconut milk and cream can be found at any market that specializes in Thai groceries, as well as the Asian food section of many national supermarket chains. Both coconut milk and coconut cream come in cans and can be sweetened or unsweetened, so read the label carefully before you check out. Coconut milk also comes in "lite" or reduced-fat varieties. This means that more water was blended with the coconut milk after it was strained. In lower-grade brands, coconut flour is blended in to whiten and thicken the milk. In full-fat coconut milk, a dense layer of coconut cream sits on top of the milk. You can either shake the can to disperse the cream or skim the cream off with a spoon and save for later use.
Cream of Coconut
When scanning the grocery store aisles for coconut cream, make sure that you do not pick up a can of cream of coconut instead. Cream of coconut is a sweetened, coconut-based mixture that is popular for exotic cocktails and some desserts. The Pina Colada is the best-known cream of coconut cocktail. You can substitute cream of coconut for coconut cream in recipes for cakes and ice creams, but you will need to reduce the sugar called for by the recipe. The combination of sweetened cream of coconut and additional sugar will result in an overpoweringly sweet dish.
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