Why I Don't Buy Canned Coconut Milk Anymore

Vanilla Coconut Cream Candy

Coconut milk is a non-dairy-eater's dream.  Even those of us who can tolerate dairy still enjoy it's creamy, sweet flavor.  The thing is: coconut milk comes in cans.  Even if you buy it in BPA-free cans, some metal can still leach into the milk and it has to be processed to be stable enough in the can.  So what do I use instead of coconut milk now?  Unrefined Coconut milk!  In concentrated form.  Actually, it's coconut cream concentrate, or coconut butter.

How is coconut butter turned into coconut milk?  Simply stir one teaspoon into a glass of water and viola!  If you are looking for a new, healthy non-dairy creamer, stir a spoonful of this into a mug of coffee or tea.  It will change your life.  What else can you do with coconut butter?  Find amazing recipes like no-bake quick lemon coconut candy, coconut ice cream, and better than candy nut crunchies, found at the bottom of this link.

This new method of making my coconut milk saves so much space in my pantry and fridge.  Since coconut butter is shelf-stable, it takes up no fridge space like dairy products.  And because it's concentrated, I can make 192 cups of coconut milk out of one, one-quart jar of coconut butter!  This is an amazing solution for my teeny tiny lil kitchen.  This is a massive savings as well!  A can of coconut milk is $1.98.  Making a glass of coconut milk with coconut butter ends up costing 20 cents per cup!

If your jar is shipped with the oil liquified at the top like mine was, the easiest way to get it ready to use is to dump all the jars contents in a blender.  Blend on high for about ten seconds, and pour it back into the jar.  It's then ready to use!  While you have it out and some of it in the blender, why not make a batch of one of the many recipes listed at the bottom of this link?

What do you like to make with coconut milk/cream/butter?  I'd love more ideas to try out and plug in to my weekly menu plans.

I'm sharing this at Monday Mania, Real Food Wednesday, Simple Lives Thursday, Pennywise Platter.