Coconut recipes

Tender squid rings stir-fried in a fiery paste of almonds, chiles, and shrimp paste, then simmered in coconut milk with tamarind and lemongrass. Serve this bold Indonesian sambal over steamed rice.

The health benefits of green papaya exceed those of the ripe variety. Raw green papaya is packed with vitamins, enzymes and phytonutrients. It contains vital nutrients including potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, E and B. However, perhaps the most important health property of green papaya is its ability to improve digestion and the uptake of nutrients, raising enzyme levels and improving assimilation, and thus also strengthening the immune system. Green papaya contains two of the most powerful plant proteolytic enzymes: papain and chymopapain. These enzymes excel at breaking down proteins, fats and carbohydrates, as well as aiding healthy digestion. Papain can only be found in the papaya fruit and is more effective than pepsin produced by our own stomachs.

Corn flake macaroons with grated peanuts and almond extract. Flourless drop cookies that bake up crispy on the edges and chewy in the center. No coconut, no flour, just crunch.

Thai jungle curry with catfish, homemade curry paste, Thai eggplant, and kaffir lime leaves. A fiery, coconut-free curry that's broth-based, bold, and ready in 20 minutes.

No-bake chocolate oatmeal coconut cookies made on the stovetop with cocoa, sugar, margarine, and milk. Drop by spoonful or press into a pan and refrigerate to set.

Yummy chicken curry: tender curried chicken in a quick, creamy sour cream sauce with sweet golden raisins, ready in about 20 minutes. A fast, mild weeknight curry that skips the coconut milk and the long simmer.

No-bake chocolate roll with melted semi-sweet chocolate, colored marshmallows, cherries, and walnuts rolled in coconut. A retro fridge candy that slices into colorful pinwheels in just 15 minutes.

Low in fat, butternut squash contains significant amounts of dietary fiber, making it an exceptionally heart-friendly choice. It also contains potassium, important for bone health, and vitamin B6, essential for the proper functioning of both the nervous and immune systems. Importantly, the squash is very rich in beta-carotene (which your body automatically converts to vitamin A), which has been shown to protect against breast cancer and age-related macular degeneration, among other health benefits. If that was not enough, a single cup serving provides nearly 50% of the daily recommended dose of vitamin C.

Chocolate covered dates stuffed with a whole nut, dipped in melted chocolate, and dusted with coconut. A no-bake, naturally sweet treat that eats like candy but leans wholesome. Elegant for a party, easy enough for a snack.

Succulent prawns swim in coconut-lemongrass curry with snap peas and Thai red curry paste. Jasmine rice infused with actual jasmine tea makes this 40-minute Thai feast special.

Green Mountain Pie layers lime sherbet and vanilla ice cream with macaroon crumbs in a macaroon cookie crust. A frozen no-bake dessert with tangy, creamy, and coconut-crunchy layers.

Potato and loaded vegetable salad is a mayo-free, vegan picnic salad: cubed potatoes, peas, carrots, celery and bell pepper tossed in a bright blended lemon-garlic dressing with a hint of coconut and hot sauce.

Pineapple pudding cake is a tropical poke cake soaked with sweet crushed pineapple and pudding, then topped with whipped cream and coconut. The poke-and-soak trick keeps every bite moist. An easy, make-ahead chilled dessert.

Sissy's pina colada blends coconut cream, pineapple juice, and vodka with a splash of almond syrup, then whirs it with ice into a frosty, tropical frozen cocktail. A nutty twist on the classic blender drink.

Laksa lemak with thick rice noodles, shrimp, bean sprouts, and cucumber in a rich coconut curry broth. A classic Malaysian noodle soup where the shrimp poaching liquid becomes the base of the laksa gravy.

Gluten free brownies made with coconut flour, melted butter, and cocoa, studded with chocolate chips. No flour blends or gums needed, just a rich, fudgy chocolate brownie that happens to be gluten-free.