Why must we still have that little voice in our head? You know the one. “Don’t eat that, it’s high in fat and calories.” 

Zip it, my imaginary friend. You’re not welcome here.

So many folks shy away from coconut milk due to its high calorie and fat content. You shouldn’t; that fat is lovely. It comes in the form of medium chain triglycerides. From NYU Medicine:

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are fats with an unusual chemical structure that allows the body to digest them easily. Most fats are broken down in the intestine and remade into a special form that can be transported in the blood. But MCTs are absorbed intact and taken to the liver, where they are used directly for energy. In this sense, they are processed very similarly to carbohydrates.

If you’ve been following this blog, you know we consider healthy forms of energy to be gold.

If you like to cook, but are avoiding dairy, coconut milk should be your best friend. Curries, creamy soups and sauces can all be improved with a bit of island flavor, but many are intimidated by this concept. They’re fattening, you say? Quite the contrary. In  fact, what if not enough of the stuff is the culprit? From livestrong.com:

New research has revealed that not eating enough fat can actually make you fat. According to Bruce Fife, N.D. in his article “The Fat that Can Make You Thin,” people who include more healthy fats in their diet, such as the medium-chain triglycerides in coconut milk, eat less than those who don’t get enough fat. While all fats help the body feel full and satiate the brain receptors that control appetite, the fat in coconut milk may increase metabolism and perhaps increase weight loss on a reduced-calorie diet.

Sure, you can get it from a can, but you know me. I like to provide options. Here’s how to make your own coconut milk. Begin with some shredded coconut (this stuff is fine if you don’t want to shred your own). Grab your blender, your strainer, a big bowl and some filtered water. Finally, reach for your cheesecloth (you have cheesecloth, right?).

Now, watch this fancy video.

You’ll be pleased to find that the music was made by your kid sister on her Casio keyboard and the featured actress has been nominated for an Oscar or two. This is some of her finest work.

I’ll race you to Bed Bath and Beyond to grab a cheesecloth. Ready, set….

Kap