A Chinese Dish Cooked in Coconut Milk:xplore unique Chinese flavors
Coconut milk brings a unique twist when paired with Chinese dishes, creating flavors that are both refreshing and distinctive. Below, I'll share a few Chinese dishes made with coconut milk.
Coconut Milk Chicken
Ingredients
1 coconut
1 piece of chicken breast
15g dried cranberries
A little olive oil
Instructions
Clean the chicken breast and cut it into small pieces. Blanch in hot water and set aside.
Remove the coconut flesh from the coconut.
Heat a small amount of olive oil in a pan and stir-fry the chicken and coconut flesh. Add an appropriate amount of water.
Add 1/4 of a cream cheese block and simmer over low heat until the sauce thickens. Then, add the cranberries.
Coconut Milk Shrimp
Ingredients
20 shrimp
1/2 onion
1/2 yellow bell pepper
1/2 red bell pepper
1 lemon
300ml coconut milk
1 tablespoon ketchup
2 tablespoons rum
Appropriate amount of tapioca flour
Instructions
Clean the shrimp, remove the veins, and peel off the head and shell.
Place the shrimp in a bowl, sprinkle with salt, add rum, and squeeze the juice from half a lemon.
Mix well and marinate for 10-15 minutes.
In another bowl, mix the tapioca flour with the coconut milk until smooth.
Heat oil in a pan and fry the shrimp heads to extract the shrimp oil. Once fragrant, remove the heads and shells.
Use the shrimp oil to sauté the onion and ketchup.
Add the yellow and red bell peppers and continue stir-frying until they change color.
Add the marinated shrimp and stir-fry until they change color.
Pour in the prepared coconut milk mixture and stir well.
Finally, add a few slices of lemon and simmer for 1 minute.
Coconut Milk Pumpkin Soup
Ingredients
1 coconut
500g pumpkin
Appropriate amount of goji berries
Appropriate amount of sugar
Instructions
Wash the pumpkin and slice it thinly, placing it in a dish.
Bring water to a boil in a pot and steam the pumpkin until soft. Mash it into a puree.
In another pot, add 200ml of water and mix with the pumpkin puree.
Once boiling, add the coconut milk and stir well. Then turn off the heat.
Transfer to a bowl and garnish with goji berries.
Coconut Milk Jelly
Ingredients
90ml milk
150ml heavy cream
150ml coconut milk
35g granulated sugar
15g gelatin powder
Appropriate amount of shredded coconut
Instructions
Place the granulated sugar and gelatin powder in a stainless steel pot and mix well.
Add the milk, heavy cream, and coconut milk to the pot.
Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves.
Let the mixture cool, then pour it into a container lined with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 3 hours.
Once chilled, remove the coconut jelly and cut it into squares.
Finally, coat the jelly in shredded coconut to finish.
Coconut Milk Custard
Ingredients
1 coconut
250ml whole milk
2 eggs
40g sugar
Instructions
Pour out the coconut juice and use a saw to cut the top of the coconut.
Crack the two eggs into a bowl and whisk well. Add the whole milk and sugar, and mix until smooth.
Pour one-third of the coconut juice into the egg mixture and stir well.
Strain the mixture through a sieve to ensure a smoother texture.
Pour the strained mixture into the coconut shell.
Place the coconut in a bowl, then into a pot with water. Steam for 45 minutes.
Once done, enjoy your delicious coconut milk custard.
Is Food Cooked in Coconut Milk Healthy?
Coconuts are sweet and rich in protein, vitamin C, dietary fiber, and minerals like calcium, iron, and phosphorus, making them nutritious and beneficial for the body. Using coconut milk in food can provide energy and promote health.
However, it's important to note that many store-bought coconut milk products contain added sugars and preservatives. Consuming these in excess can increase the risk of obesity and higher blood sugar levels.
Therefore, whether coconut milk-based dishes are healthy depends on the type of coconut milk used. Natural coconut milk is healthy, but processed coconut milk with added sugars should be consumed in moderation.
What Chicken Dish Can I Make with Coconut Milk?
Coconut milk pairs beautifully with chicken to create delicious dishes. Here are a few popular options:
Thai Coconut Chicken Soup
A classic Southeast Asian soup, made by simmering chicken with straw mushrooms, galangal, lemongrass, coconut milk, and chicken broth. The soup is finished with a squeeze of lime for a tangy kick.
Sweet and Sour Coconut Chicken
This dish is both sweet and tangy with layers of flavor. After pan-frying chicken until golden, add onions, mushrooms, and garlic, then cook with apple cider vinegar and coconut milk until the sauce reduces.
Hainanese Coconut Chicken
A dish with rich Hainanese flavors, where the chicken is steamed and served with a sauce made from coconut milk, milk, and coconut juice. This dish retains the tenderness of the chicken while adding a fragrant coconut flavor.
Coconut Curry Chicken
A rich curry made with chicken, onions, potatoes, and curry paste, simmered in coconut milk for a mellow, creamy texture. The coconut milk helps to soften the spices and enhances the curry’s richness.
