Homemade Coconut Milk
Homemade dairy-free coconut milk is quite easy once you have the right equipment. I started looking at the ingredients in dairy-free milk in the store and didn't care for the preservatives, and once my unsweetened coconut milk was no longer available at Trader Joes, I looked into how to make my own. Dairy-free milk is a good alternative to dairy milk in all the same applications. It can be used in hot chocolate, baking, cooking, and making smoothies. The process for any non-dairy milk is the same, though with rice milk there is the extra step of cooking the rice first.
For coconut milk, you'll need a high-powered blender. A Vitamix isn't necessary for this, but if you have one, by all means use it. You can even use hot water in the Vitamix. If you don't have a high-powered blender, there are several options to choose from for making dairy-free milk. You can invest in a high-powered blender. The Ninja is a blender that works well for this and isn't as expensive as the Vitamix. There are also fancy gadgets like the Almond Cow; you can make more than just almond milk with this; however, if you're looking for something that does more than make plant-based milks, then a blender is good for these purposes. The next thing you'll need is a nut milk bag, which is pretty inexpensive, and you can pick them up at your neighborhood kitchen supply store.
For the coconut milk, you'll want to place about 2 ounces of coconut, or 1/4 cup, into the blender with 1 cup of water. Blend on high for about 2 minutes. Place your nut milk bag over a bowl, and then pour the liquid into the bag. Squeeze out any remaining liquid in the bag, and then save the coconut for another use. You now have 1 cup of coconut milk to use however you'd like.
Coconut Milk made at home is much healthier because it doesn't have all the preservatives and stabilizers that canned and carton coconut milk have in the store. It also comes at a fraction of the cost because you can make more coconut milk at home with just one coconut. If you're into buying whole coconuts but don't want to hassle with the shell, you can buy whole coconuts without the shell and then grate them on your own, or you can also buy shredded coconut and use that. Coconut is low in carbs, so it's good to use for those on low-carb diets who don't have any coconut allergies. Coconut is also high in fat, so those on the keto diet may appreciate this. It's also a good alternative to use in gluten-free and paleo baking.
Coconut has nutritional benefits, including antioxidants and being high in fats and minerals like copper and iron. I have yet to make my own coconut flour, but stay tuned; I may try that next. Until then, I will continue buying coconut flour. As for the coconut milk, there are many variations you can try, such as chocolate and strawberry. Have fun experimenting.
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Ingredients
2 oz / 1/4 cup Shredded Coconut
1 cup water
Directions
Blend coconut and water in a high-speed blender for 2–3 minutes. Pour into a nut milk bag and strain. Use coconut for another purpose.
