Coconut Oil Revisited
In an earlier post I suggested getting rid of olive oil – well, actually just to not COOK with olive oil, to avoid the problems with all unsaturated oils. And I suggested using coconut oil instead, a natural saturated fat that was actually GOOD for you. I started using it myself, and after getting over the weirdness of scooping out a spoon of something the consistency of soft wax, I found that coconut oil was as good as the claims. It is a whitish solid at room temp, and melts at about 76 degrees. I use the organic expellor processed coconut oil from Tropical Traditions, and no, it doesn’t taste like coconuts. Virgin coconut oil does have a delicate coconut aroma, but remember, this is the oil, not the fruit of the coconut (some call it “meat” or copra).
How do you use coconut oil? Since it is a stable cooking oil, you can simply replace unhealthy oils with coconut oil, and since it is a solid most of the time at room temperature or when refrigerated, it can be a butter or margarine substitute for spreads or for baking. Any recipe calling for butter, margarine, or any other oil can be substituted for coconut oil. It is popularly mixed in with “smoothies.” Many people do eat it simply by the spoon full. If you refrigerate or freeze Virgin Coconut Oils the taste changes completely, and some describe it like a “candy” or “white chocolate.” Some people fill up ice cube trays with coconut oil and then store them in the freezer. Some people use it as a spread, and a lot of people put it into their coffee or tea. It actually is very good for you, and may actually help you lose weight!
The bizarre thing to me is getting over the idea that saturated fat is bad – you, know, the lard/Crisco phobia. But this saturated fat does not oxidize even when heated, is totally stable, does not need to be even refrigerated, and is not “hydrogenated”. Though I am not sure I wold recommend it, coconut oil is not degraded at even fairly high temps, so it can be reused.
Here are some recipes http://www.freecoconutrecipes.com/.
I just don’t know if I can get used to spreading coconut oil on my toast just yet!
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Okay I may have to try it even if I don’t like coconut.
Another thing I realized when my wife had made French Toast with the coconut oil. Afterwards, there was an odor in the house like a movie theater! The French Toast was awesome, no weird flavor. just the odor. So I looked it up, and yes, that is the way to make ultimate theater popcorn!
A good way to use coconut oil, melt half butter and half coconut oil and stir in a clove of mashed garlic. Stir it up and pour it on the salted popcorn.
This might not sound like a healthy food but use organic popcorn, raw butter from grassfed cows, virgin coconut oil, raw garlic and sea salt. All of the taste, none of the guilt.
What do you think?
We love coconut oil! Our family uses it in so many ways. Its so healthful for everybody. We make our own chicken nuggets with it, its good spread on toast, as a natural moisturizer for the face and body, a deep hair conditioner and eating it regularly helps keep you, well, regular! :0) Enjoy!!
Heyho, well-written post! I will keep reading your blog ;)
I started using coconut oil to make popcorn some time ago…yep, that’s their secret to making it smell so good! I put melted (grassfed) butter, unrefined sea salt, and sometimes nutritional yeast flakes on our popcorn. It’s so good!
We don’t eat a ton of coconut oil because my son has a sensitivity to salycites which are high in the oil, but I made this coconut candy with it…best candy ever! I also replaced my facial moisturizer with coconut oil–it works just as well, but is way cheaper. Also soothes chapped, sore lips really well as it is so easily absorbed.
Coconut oil is so amazing…I’ve read pages and pages of positive info on it. It is way more than just a great cooking oil!
Hummmm, Ill have to try that..