Crazy for Coconuts

brendabowen722
Aug 18, 2020
5 min read

Updated: Sep 27, 2021

Coconuts are not just only good in sugary Piña Coladas and candy bars. I use it to cook with in the form of pure coconut oil, I've added shredded coconut to oatmeal, blend frozen sheets of coconut in smoothies, sip coconut water to hydrate, and have even slathered the oil on my nails, hair, and skin. We always keep that COCO goodness at hand!

This mature nut is also considered a fruit and is one of the most used ingredients in the kitchens of India. Although I am not Indian, my Caribbean culture also embraces this wonderful fruit. It was always a staple in our family, that accompanied by many other fruits like pineapple, mango, and etc. Growing up, my mother made us coconut rice, Coconut "Oatmeal," coconut milk, coconut sweets, and etc. However, my favorite was drinking coconut water straight from a fresh coconut. My father would crack it open once we drank the water and would give us a spoon to scoop out the coconut "meat." Y'all!!! it's amazing! We recently traveled with Emilio (our 4 year old) to the Dominican Republic where he had his first fresh coconut. It brought back so many childhood memories! You most definitely have to give it a try!

There are many benefits to consuming coconuts, here are just a few:

Coconuts are not just only good in sugary Piña Coladas and candy bars. I use it to cook with in the form of pure coconut oil. I've added shredded coconut to oatmeal, blend frozen sheets of coconut in smoothies, sip coconut water to hydrate, and have even slathered the oil on my nails, hair, and skin. We always keep that COCO goodness at hand!

Just a little coconut background. A coconut is a mature nut but also considered a fruit. It is one of the most used ingredients in the kitchens of India. Although I am not Indian, my Caribbean culture also embraces this wonderful fruit/nut. It was always a staple in our household accompanied by many other fruits such as the pineapple, mango, and etc. Growing up, my mother made us coconut rice, Coconut "Oatmeal," coconut milk, coconut sweets, and etc. However, my favorite was drinking coconut water straight from a fresh coconut. My dad would crack it open and once we drank the water, he would hand us a spoon to scoop out the coconut "meat." Y'all!!! it's amazing! We recently traveled with Emilio to the Dominican Republic where he had his first fresh coconut, it brought back so many childhood memories! You most definitely have to give it a try!

We always keep some coconut water at hand. Not only is it refreshing, but it also tastes great in smoothies. Our favorite coco water to purchase is ONE energizing hydration and C2O Coconut water.. They are both 100% pure coconut water. We always read the label to make sure it’s pure and no added ingredients or preservatives the same with coconut oil. Now, I’m not in the medical field, so do your research and speak to your physician on what would work best for you and your situation. Yup, that was my disclaimer.

There are many benefits to consuming and using coconuts, here are just a few of my favorites:

· Anti-ageing – Hey, any little bit helps.

· Boosts energy

· Keeps you hydrated- So much better than Gatorade!

· Healthy bones and teeth – You know you can rinse your mouth with it as well.

· Fights dryness- Lately with all the extra hand sanitizer being used, my hands (especially the top) have been super dry and itchy. Coconut does the trick, PROMISE.

· Clean skin- Great makeup remover especially eye makeup remover.

· Body scrub- Here is a basic quick body and face scrub that I love to use. Mix some coconut oil and a cup of brown sugar and stir well. Check out PINTEREST for fancier ones with tons of other benefits.

One of my favorite treats to make with shredded sweetened coconuts are… MACAROONS! I normally try to keep all my baked treats healthy, however, this one IS NOT. I'm sure there are far worst treats, but this one is worth every single calorie. I don’t make it that often, but when I do, we absolutely devour them. They are super easy to make and also ma cute little gifts. I have not purchased any store bought one’s ever since I started making these little bundles of joy.

What I like most about this recipe is that it only calls for a few basic ingredients which includes:

Egg whites. Egg whites are the key to binding the coconut into sweet, chewy, can’t-eat-just-one morsels of deliciousness.

Sugar. These cookies aren’t overly sweet, as an entire batch only calls for 2/3 cup sugar.

Salt. Just a pinch!

Pure vanilla extract. This ends up being a predominant flavor in such a simple recipe, so make sure it’s the good stuff!

All-purpose flour. Like the sugar, it doesn’t take much…just 1/4 cup for the whole recipe.

Sweetened flaked coconut. The primary ingredient in this recipe by far. You can try unsweetened, but honestly it made the macaroons taste bland.

Semisweet chocolate. This is totally optional, but it definitely gives it a nice little kick… even try throwing in some finely chopped nuts, YUMMM!

HOW TO MAKE COCONUT MACAROONS

1. Preheat the oven and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

2. Beat the egg whites until frothy. Mix in the sugar, salt, vanilla, and flour until smooth.

3. Stir in the coconut.

4. Scoop mounds of batter onto prepared cookie sheets.

5. Bake until golden, then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

The only downside to these cookies is that they do tend to stick to the pan. The best remedy is to line your cookie sheets with parchment paper... Problem solved!

INGREDIENTS

- 4 egg whites

- 2/3 cups of sugar

- 1/4 teaspoon salt

- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

- 3 cups (packed) sweetened flaked coconut

FOR CHOCOLATE – DIPPED MACAROONS (Optional)

- 6 ounces semisweet chocolate,

chopped (OR semisweet chocolate chips)

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 325°F. Prepare two cookie sheets by lining them with parchment paper. In a large bowl, use an electric hand mixer (or stand mixer) to beat the egg whites until frothy. Mix in sugar, salt, vanilla, and flour and beat another minute until smooth and thickened. Stir in coconut until all ingredients are well combined.

Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to drop mounds of batter, 1 inch apart, onto prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until cookies are beginning to turn light golden brown on the tips of the coconut flakes and around their bottom edges. Allow to cool for a couple minutes on the cookie sheets before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

For Chocolate-Dipped Macaroons

Place chocolate in a heat proof bowl and

melt chocolate in the microwave by heating it for 1 minute. Stir and then heat and stir at 30 second intervals until melted. Dip each cookie in melted chocolate halfway, set it on a wax paper lined cookie sheet, and allow to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes or until chocolate is set. You may speed up the process by putting dipped cookies in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes. Also, instead of dipping the cookies, you may instead choose to drizzle them with the melted chocolate.

Notes

Be sure to line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This is the only option that guarantees these macaroons won't stick to the pans.

I hope you find this recipe as delicious as I do. Also, give coconut a try, weather its for consumption or to incorporate into a new beauty routine.

Do you have a favorite coconut recipe? Please share, Chica!

Thank you once again for taking time to read my blog. Feel free to leave me a comment and share, share, share. Us Beauties must stick together!