ingredient of
the month
the month
From my family's recipe
book - to your table!
book - to your table!
Homemade Indian Cooking with Carla
The Spice Route
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Coconut
Coconut, or"nariyal" is known as the "fruit of the gods",
or in some parts of the world - the tree of life. Every part
of the tree is used to complement daily life. Its rich fruit is
used as food, and its fronds and leaves provide the raw
materials for shelter, brooms, ropes, mattresses and
cooking implements. The fruit is widely used in Hindu
religious ceremonies, and a coconut is broken at the
beginning of any auspicious event as an offering to the
gods.
or in some parts of the world - the tree of life. Every part
of the tree is used to complement daily life. Its rich fruit is
used as food, and its fronds and leaves provide the raw
materials for shelter, brooms, ropes, mattresses and
cooking implements. The fruit is widely used in Hindu
religious ceremonies, and a coconut is broken at the
beginning of any auspicious event as an offering to the
gods.
Cooking with Coconut: The sweet meat of the coconut fruit is scraped from its hard
shell, and is either used fresh, dehydrated or desiccated, as milk or cream, or flaked
and sweetened for desserts. Coconut milk is the most common use of coconuts,
and can be found in Goa's fish curries and Kerala's mixed vegetable - avial. The
kernels are sometimes halved and dried in the sun to make copra, which is then
fried, roasted and pounded into a paste with other spices for a rich, flavorful curry.
Fresh or flaked coconut is used to make a variety of chutneys throughout South India.
Coconut water is drunk with a straw, straight from tender young fruit, and is said to
be useful to maintain the health of one's kidneys and liver. Coconut oil is excellent
for the hair and skin and is also used as a cooking medium.
Medicinal Uses: Published studies in medical journals show that coconut, in one
form or another, may provide a wide range of health benefits. Some of these are
summarized below:
For more information on the health benefits of coconut, go to the Coconut Research
Council. Learn more about the health benefits of turmeric, cardamom and cinnamon
Here's a great recipe for Coconut Rice!
shell, and is either used fresh, dehydrated or desiccated, as milk or cream, or flaked
and sweetened for desserts. Coconut milk is the most common use of coconuts,
and can be found in Goa's fish curries and Kerala's mixed vegetable - avial. The
kernels are sometimes halved and dried in the sun to make copra, which is then
fried, roasted and pounded into a paste with other spices for a rich, flavorful curry.
Fresh or flaked coconut is used to make a variety of chutneys throughout South India.
Coconut water is drunk with a straw, straight from tender young fruit, and is said to
be useful to maintain the health of one's kidneys and liver. Coconut oil is excellent
for the hair and skin and is also used as a cooking medium.
Medicinal Uses: Published studies in medical journals show that coconut, in one
form or another, may provide a wide range of health benefits. Some of these are
summarized below:
- Coconut oil supports the immune system, and kills viruses and bacteria that
cause flus and infections, while enhancing the functioning of digestive
organs and the absorption of vitamins, minerals and amino acids - Coconut water helps protect against kidney and liver disease and dissolves
kidney stones - Coconut oil promotes healthy looking hair and skin, and reduces the
damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
For more information on the health benefits of coconut, go to the Coconut Research
Council. Learn more about the health benefits of turmeric, cardamom and cinnamon
Here's a great recipe for Coconut Rice!
