The coconut oil craze meant that suddenly this tropical product was in everything, as wellness influencers touted it as a youth-enhancing, nutrient-rich superfood. This has since been disputed, with some dieticians questioning whether it really is that much healthier than alternative oils such as olive or avocado. However, this doesn’t mean that the tub of coconut oil in your cupboard should be relegated to the back. Coconut oil’s ability to set hard when cooled makes it more like butter or lard than oil, and this means it is an essential ingredient in these recipes.
Home-Made Chocolate Truffles
The easiest gift for the vegan chocolate lover in your life. Take a bar of good quality, dark vegan chocolate. Melt over low heat in a non-stick saucepan. Add two large tablespoons of coconut oil to the pan and mix in with the chocolate. Add any flavorings you like, a dash of cayenne pepper or cinnamon can give an interesting twist. Remove the pan from the heat, and allow the mix to cool. When cool enough to touch, shape into truffle-sized balls and refrigerate until solidified. Dust with a little cocoa powder to finish.
Coconut Biscuits
An homage to the coconut Anzac biscuits found across Australia and New Zealand, the coconut oil gives these a lovely chewy texture. You will need 1 cup of oats, 3/4 cup of coconut oil, 1/2 cup of chocolate, and 1/4 cup of raisins or other dried fruit. Start by melting the chocolate and coconut oil together in a non-stick pan, before adding the oats and raisins. Stir through until everything in the mix is coated, and then transfer to a baking tray. Bake on low heat for 10 minutes. Allow to cool before tasting the first one!
There are other uses for coconut oil, some of them cosmetic rather than culinary. Whether you stir a spoon into a stew or use it to moisturize your hands, coconut oil is a versatile, useful product – so don’t let it linger at the back of the cupboard.
