This simple, big-flavor chicken thigh dish is a great intro to the fundamentals of braising—once you've got the method down, you can braise just about anything. And what about coconut cream?! Cooking advice that works. The plain milk has a similar taste to regular cow’s milk, but with a distinct coconut flavor. Here are the best evaporated milk substitutes. light is just the same coconut milk with water added. Those who suffer from intolerance to lactose and allergies to … This will sometimes be labeled “light” or “lite” coconut milk. I've been using it in my coffee as well and I'm thinking I would rather have a less thick version for that too. What Are the Advantages of Coconut Milk Vs. Furthermore, this product is perfect for cooking. © 2020 Condé Nast. You’ll find canned coconut milk in two varieties: regular and light. But what kind of coconut milk should you buy, and what’s is the difference between the standard and the “lite” versions? Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Your California Privacy Rights. The canned coconut milk used in the recipes on this site is a reduced-fat version. When you crack open a can, there’s often a layer of solid white stuff at the top, which is what's known as "coconut cream," and is the richest part of the equation, containing more fat and protein than the milky-looking liquid it is sitting on top of. It’s already naturally sweet, so you don’t need the extra sugar, unless the recipe specifically calls for it. 2. Now that we’ve compared coconut water vs. coconut milk, you’re ready to reap the unique benefits each can offer. It can add big flavor and richness to braised meats (like these chicken thighs or slow-roasted short ribs), a big pot of dal (made with lentils), or pretty much any soup or stew-y thing that wants a little something-something. Thank you! And another way to get a taste of the tropics is with coconut milk, available both in a … To revisit this article, select My Account, then View saved stories. Full-fat coconut milk is second in line, and light coconut milk comes in last. But making coconut milk is fairly straightforward. Sweet, floral, and nutty, ideal for adding to light curries or gravies, soups, and desserts. You can easily find both in the Asian section of most grocery stores. First and foremost: The coconut milk you now find in the dairy case next to the soy milk, cow’s milk, and nut milks is not like the one you find in a can down the center aisle near the soy sauce. Cans of sweetened condensed coconut milk and cream of coconut — both of which contain added sugar — are often sitting on shelves near the coconut milk, so be sure you’re buying the right can. Coconut milk is so versatile that once you start using it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. do not be afraid of the fat. The consistency of both varies some by brand (some are watery while others are creamy). It’s pretty decadent, and can sometimes be used in the place of regular coconut milk, but be careful: It is a lot thicker and contains less water, so it might screw up the hydration level in a baking recipe. If so, can you just turn regular coconut milk into "lite" milk … Nutritionally, coconut milk isn’t ideal when compared to many other milk alternatives because it’s high in saturated fat, explained registered dietitian Julieanna Hever. Between coconut water and coconut oil, coconut is one superfood trend that won't give up. The lighter version is known as the "tail of the coconut milk" and is far lower in fat and calories but with much the same flavor. I just started the whole30 2 days ago after reading It Starts With Food just last week, so I am a newbie. Regular coconut milk is too thick for coffee I find. Unfortunately I find both of them lacking in flavor. I even cook meat dishes with it and they taste normal. Heres the breakdown: Regular Coconut Milk: 111 calories per serving and 12 grams of fat, with 5 grams of that as saturated fat. Like its original version, this light coconut milk is a nice substitution for regular cow milk as well as coconut milk that contains too many calories. I use light coconut milk for coffee, it works better for me. , with a cup or two of this coconut milk, your dish will turn out absolutely amazing. There is a big difference between regular coconut milk, at 45 grams of fat per cup, and the light version, at about 12 grams of fat per cup. I have a question about coconut milk - is there a difference between light vs. regular? Cooking: Great for baking, as the coconut flavour won’t overpower the food. And then, confusingly, there's cream of coconut, which is a different thing entirely. The product we are talking about contains almost 3 times more calories than cows whole milk. This we know: You can't milk a coconut. The kind for cooking typically comes in a can, and differs a lot from the cartons of non-dairy "milk substitute" that people use for smoothies and cereal. Coconut-Curry Braised Chicken Thighs, anyone? The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. At least it doesn't have guar gum in it, which I swear I can taste. do not be afraid of the fat. A spoonful of flour also helps to thicken the broth; for a gluten-free version, you can try substituting 11/2 teaspoons cornstarch (you might need to simmer longer to get it to thicken). There are a few types of coconut milk on grocery store shelves. Companies will often add a bunch of extra stabilizers and weird things to products like these so they’ll look more like the genuine article, but those additives can sometimes contribute funky or otherwise off flavors, so we avoid whenever possible. May 22, 2011 at 8:38 am #1739595 The flavor was very much hazelnut-forward with a hint of sweetness (cane sugar is added to this brand’s product). Add guilt-free body and flavor to your family's favorite Asian dishes, beverages and even desserts! My recollection from a Thai cooking class I once took is that "lite" coconut simply has more water in it. do not be afraid of the fat. Unlike coconut water, coconut milk isn't something you can harvest directly from the coconut. If you buy coconut milk, the cream will be the solid matter at the top of the can. Joshua Engel is absolutely right on the nutritional front. By Whether you’re cooking curry, piña colada, sauces, soups, etc. That is due to a fat content, which we will consider later. So what is coconut milk, exactly? Finally, there's also something out there called “lite coconut milk,” which is essentially the two-percent milk of coconut milk. If lactose intolerance or milk allergy is prompting a switch to coconut milk, first take a look at coconut milk versus milk to weigh which is better for you. A generous splash of light coconut milk enriches this dairy-free chowder, making it creamy while offering a faint sweet flavor that enhances the sweetness of the corn. July 25, 2012 in Food, Drink and Condiments. So yeah: Coconut milk is a very good thing, as long as you get the right stuff. It is basically just shredded coconut flesh that is pureed with water and strained to create a rich, shock-white liquid that can lend body, flavor, and richness to soups, curries, wilted greens, and much more. Taste: Light, with a hint of coconut. A quality can of coconut milk should have a fair amount of coconut cream at the top and not just look like murky, cloudy water, and you should always buy unsweetened. Soy is considered a decent source of protein, because it contains all the amino acids you need in your diet. If coconut curry is on the menu tonight, chances are you'll be swinging by your local market to pick up some coconut milk, garlic and curry powder. Finally, there's also something out there called “lite coconut milk,” which is essentially the two-percent milk of coconut milk. If you want it more watery, you could add some yourself, but in all seriousness, you want that good fat. While you may find regular coconut to be a beneficial addition to your recipes, the flavorful fluid has some nutritional drawbacks -- it's quite high in calories and fat. nope. All rights reserved. Despite the name, canned and carton-ed coconut milks are two very different products with two very different purposes. Coconut milk is more accurately referred to as “coconut milk beverage” because it’s a more diluted product than the type of coconut milk used in cooking, which usually is sold in cans. However, if you want to retain some of the flavor without the fattening aspects, you can use light canned coconut milk as an alternative. Such a low number of carbohydrates means coconut milk should be less calorized than a regular one. 1/3 cup has 16 grams of fat and only 4 carbs. For one, you will sometimes be able to find cans labeled "coconut cream," which, as you might guess, is richer and fattier than your standard issue coconut milk—it’s just a whole can filled with the extra-rich stuff that floats to the top of a normal can of coconut milk. Located in either the dairy department or shelf stable milk section, boxed coconut milk is typically used as an alternative to traditional milk, offering a no-sugar and lactose-free alternative that is plant based. On the taste front, there's a difference that most people notice. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Add in some raw cacao and almond butter, or crushed cherries for extra flavor. Thai Kitchen Gluten Free Lite Coconut Milk has 60% less fat and calories than regular coconut milk. "[Coconut milk] is produced from the coconut meat, which is processed and taken out of the coconut and then filtered and liquefied," Gallego says. Ideas? We’ve got answers for you. I didn't see any differences in the ingredients or sugar content so I am tempted to go with the light version, but I also don't think that's the right idea for whole30. I use light coconut milk in lattes or soups, but if I want to use coconut as a rich, dairy-free alternative to regular cream in vegan ice cream or whipped cream, I always seek out full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream. Moreover, there is no lactose in here, which is a tough structure, hard to digest. Cream of coconut is also made from pureed coconut meat, but is blended with a ton of sugar, and is normally used for sweet, rather than savory, applications—think blended drinks like piña coladas. When it comes to cooking, stick with the can. Fat is about the same with the coconut versus 2% milk but it's a healthy sat fat. Keep a can or two in your pantry and be ready for a flavorful dinner anytime—you’d be coconuts not to. Regular canned coconut milk is comparable to light cream, in terms of the fat and calories. Questions: 1) Is this correct, that "lite" coconut milk is simply the presence of more water? jlb, It’s pretty much the opposite of coconut cream—it has less fat than regular coconut milk, and tends to be more watery-looking in the can. We tested… Free From Coconut ‘Milk’ Drink, £1.25/1 litre, Tesco. Ad Choices. Both have a very pronounced coconut flavor and are generally used in rich soups, sauces, and desserts. Milk is not even close to its level of creaminess Image credit Maria. “ lite coconut milk and our favorite brand for cooking almost 3 times more than... 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