It is solid at room temperature, making it an easy substitute in recipes that call for butter or shortening. I melt it on the stove to use in recipes calling for unhealthy vegetable oils. Adding a couple tablespoons to a smoothie makes for a much more filling breakfast. Coconut oil holds up well at high temperatures, making it great for sauteing and frying.
As a side: Coconut oil is 90% saturated fat, which is why it gets such a bad rap these days. I don't really want this post to turn into a debate on saturated fats, so if you're convinced they're bad, check out this link and click around the website some. Let's just say that in our kitchen, you won't find anything low fat. We drink cream-on-the-top whole milk, eat whole milk yogurt, real butter, and full-fat cheese, and don't feel the slightest bit guilty.
In addition to being great in the kitchen, coconut oil is also wonderful for your skin and hair. While I haven't used it much for these purposes, it is something I am beginning to look into and may begin in the near future. Katie's pediatrician in Florida recommended it as an an alternative to chemical-laden diaper rash cream.
You can probably find unrefined coconut oil at your grocery store or health food store. However, buying it online is probably more affordable. I was recently given a 32 oz. jar of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil from Tropical Traditions to review and have found it to be of excellent quality. It has a pleasant, but not overpowering, coconut flavor and I love using it in recipes, knowing all the wonderful benefits it has for my little family. They often have great sales and occasionally offer free shipping, making for a better deal.
Mountain Rose Herbs also sells 1 gallon of virgin unrefined coconut oil at a very reasonable price.
Have you tried coconut oil in your home? What's your favorite use?
For more information:
::Donielle has a very extensive post.
::Katie has a great post as well.
::Tropical Traditions has a Coconut Oil FAQ page you may find helpful.
I use coconut oil all the time. I use it in recipe that call for shortening (if I don't use butter) and I try to use it half and half with butter in cookies and other baked goods so that I'm getting the benefits of it in a way that I like. I don't care for the taste of it. :)
ReplyDeleteI also use it as my main cooking oil, I mostly only use olive oil for herbs, or in "emergency" situations where I need a liquid oil fast.
I also use it when I oil pull, I think it really helps keep my mouth much cleaner and whitens my teeth.
I put it on my skin to keep it from becoming dry, I love the coco-nutty smell on my skin, and my skin feels SO good with it on. It absorbs fast so I don't have to worry about looking greasy all day too.
Hmm I use if for everything, it's hard to think of something I don't use it for!
I think I'm going to start using it! Thanks:)
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