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How do you cook with coconut oil?

by Karine Lemoine

How to cook with coconut oil

How do you cook with coconut oil? Learn more about the benefits of this ingredient!

Coconut oil is a vegetable oil that a lot of people are currently using for various purposes. Among the most popular uses of this oil in recent years, there is a great enthusiasm for cooking and baking with coconut oil. Even the greatest chefs of renowned restaurants do not hesitate to use coconut oil to concoct new recipes and enhance their delicious dishes.

If this coconut oil is so popular, it is because it has many advantages in terms of taste and composition as well.


Where does coconut oil come from?

coconut on coconut palmCoconut oil comes from Coconut tree fruit, the coconut, from the palm family.

It is found everywhere in the Antilles, in Martinique, it grows on beaches and even on the roads, however. the ones that are most often found on the shelves come from Africa.

Coconut oil is made From coconut pulp, the white part that we call The copra.

In its solid state, it has a white color and a delicious coconut scent.


What is the difference between coconut oil and coconut oil?

Copra the coconut pulp

Coconut oil can therefore be found under the name coconut oil. They are both the same. Most often in processed products, you will see coconut oil in the list of ingredients under the name coconut oil.


The benefits of coconut oil

  • Since coconut oil is a saturated fat, the controversial question always arises: what is its benefit for your body? In today's modern world, there is reason to be concerned about your health, and with good reason. Many professors have researched this question. Almost all studies prove that The saturated fats found in coconut oil are not bad for your health.
  • These saturated fats are lauric acid, which has the property of reducing bad cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol..This lauric acid is the main saturated fat thatIt is found in breast milk.
  • Coconut oil can easily be used In frying pan cooking and in pastry. So, with coconut oil, you can easily make good ovenproof cakes or even cook with it on the stove in a frying pan.
  • Vegetable coconut oil is therefore A very good substitute for butter which are animal fats that they tend to provide bad cholesterol.
  • To enhance the flavor of the food you prepare, coconut oil turns out to be a rather exotic ingredient that awakens our taste buds. It turns even the most ordinary dish into a very appetizing meal and a fairly pronounced delicious natural taste.
  • Coconut oil can be used as well for savory recipes or sweet recipes. 
  • Coconut oil may also contribute to weight loss. It was introduced in the diets to improve ketosis in patients with epilepsy.

What coconut oil should I buy for cooking?

First of all, we advise you to buy unrefined and non-hydrogenated first-cold-pressed coconut oil which means it will be devoid of trans fatty acids.

According to the AFSSA (French Food Health Agency) report in 2005, studies have shown that excessive consumption of trans fatty acids increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

These trans fatty acids can of course also be used in the composition of products other than coconut oil.

It is found in organic stores, sold in jars. We find deodorized coconut oil for those who don't like the taste.


Tips for cooking with coconut oil

Dietary coconut oil can be used for cooking or baking. Below are some tips for cooking with this vegetable oil.

Use it to make desserts. Coconut oil has the particularity of hardening at a temperature below 25 degrees, and it hardens very quickly, which allows the dessert to be more stable and presentable.

Conversely, above a temperature of 25 degrees, coconut oil becomes liquid.

It is also excellent for Fry food in a pan.

Coconut oil is best used to stir-fry chicken, meat, or fish.

However, it is necessary Be careful not to bring it up too much in temperature, prefer a medium heat and watch the cooking. Coconut oil cannot exceed a temperature above 140 degrees. After this temperature, the oil smokes. It is said that the oil reaches its smoke point at 140 degrees. The fumes are toxic to health.

Coconut oil can add a fantastic addition to any dressing or sauce.

Be ready for praise from friends and family if you cook a coconut dish for them. Using this oil brings a whole new flavor to any dish you make, even the simplest one.

However, if you want to use this vegetable oil without necessarily having the pronounced taste of coconut, there is coconut oil without odor.

So you can cook with normal coconut oil or deodorized coconut oil.


Use coconut oil other than for cooking

Coconut oil has many benefits in terms of body care and beauty.. She turns out to be an excellent ingredient in the manufacture of cosmetics.

Some use it to skin, nails, hair because of its saturated fats which are called lauric acid.

Lauric acid has anti-microbial properties, it is used in the composition of face or body creams, but also in the manufacture of toothpaste because it also has the property of whitening teeth.

This vegetable oil maybe used as a hair mask in the same way as shea oil.

Coconut oil also promotes hair growth.

Coconut oil is effective in case you have caught sunburn and you don't have anything else at hand, you can apply it directly to your skin to relieve yourself. The results are fast and effective.


How long can coconut oil be stored for?

Coconut oil has an expiration date like all oils, which does not mean that after this date, the product cannot be consumed if it has never been opened.

This indicates that the product may deteriorate over time.

You can use coconut oil for a period of 12 months after opening without needing to store it particularly in the refrigerator.

The texture of the oil varies depending on where it is stored. If the oil is stored in a refrigerator, it will have a solid texture.

If the oil is stored at room temperature, it will have a much softer gelatinous texture.

On the other hand, if stored in a pantry or closet where the temperature tends to rise, you will find that the oil stays in liquid form.

The type of storage does not determine how long coconut oil can be consumed. The choice of storage only affects the texture of the oil.


Can you make coconut oil at home?

Make coconut oil

 

Of course, you can make your own edible coconut oil.

Here is the recipe for homemade coconut oil that is quick and easy to make:

 

Ingredients

  • 1 coconut
  • Hot water

The steps to follow

  • First, open the coconut to get the white flesh.
  • Once the flesh is collected, simply mix it and then add hot water while mixing to obtain coconut milk.
  • Once the coconut milk is made, pour it into an airtight rectangular container, preferably so that the milk is well spread. Keep in the fridge overnight.
  • Collect the airtight container in the fridge and when you open it you will get a white coating that has solidified on top.
  • Remove the thick white layer and heat it over low heat until a translucent liquid appears.
  • Strain the mixture and your coconut oil is ready.
  • Remember to sterilize your container before filling it with oil. The oil can easily be stored at room temperature for up to one year.

How do you make butter with coconut oil?

Here it is a few easy steps to take to make your homemade vegetable butter as a substitute for butter, which contains animal fats. A recipe that we particularly like at home cooking.

Ingredients

  • 100 g cashew nuts
  • 100 g deodorized coconut oil
  • 70 ml of water
  • ½ tsp of salt
  • A pinch of turmeric
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil

The steps to follow

  • Soften the cashews in a bowl of lukewarm water for one hour.
  • Melt coconut oil in a bowl in the microwave
  • Mix the cashew nuts, add the melted coconut oil, then the water and finally the salt and turmeric which will bring color to your butter.
  • Mix everything homogeneously then pour into a container such as a small airtight jar.
  • All that's left is to put your jar in your fridge overnight. Your butter is ready to eat!

The health effects of coconut oil

Using an excess product in general can be harmful. Because of theIncrease in the consumption of coconut oil in the home, several studies have been conducted on the pros and cons of this substance. Here is the summary:

Advantages and Disadvantages

Benefits
  • It increases good cholesterol thanks to its saturated fats rich in lauric acid.
  • It stabilizes blood sugar levels and insulin levels by facilitating better absorption of sugar and reducing its concentration in the blood.
  • It is a natural antioxidant and antibacterial.
  • It stimulates thyroid function, thus increasing energy levels.
  • It improves hair and skin health.
  •  
Disadvantages
  • Coconut oil can cause allergies.
  • It can cause diarrhea in some people
  • Excessive consumption can lead to an increase in bad cholesterol

Also to be read:

Can you cook with macadamia nut oil?

How do you know if cooking oil is bad?


A pleasant coconut flavor!

Coconut oil is a very versatile product to have in your closet. You can use it for numerous uses both in cooking and for beauty and care recipes.

Coconut oil loaded with lauric acid is beneficial for health.

You can cook good meals with this spicy coconut flavor. or for some preparations use deodorized coconut oil if you wish.

If you are looking for A healthy alternative to butter, this one is made for you. It is highly recommended as part of a ketogenic lifestyle. However, excessive consumption can reverse its health benefit.

Like all good things, it should not be abused! We recommend our homemade butter recipe Excellent for enjoying radishes from the garden or buttering your sandwiches for breakfast!

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