Coconut shaving - a taste of exotics

Coconut is a unique product in which a person can use almost everything: both juice, and pulp, and hard fibers, and a hard shell. Strictly speaking, what is sold under this name in stores is not at all a nut, but the middle part of the fruit of a coconut palm (knuckle), the same as, for example, a plum or cherry. Inside its solid shell (endocarp) is the flesh and (in immature nuts) a clear liquid. From the shell of coconuts, local residents make original souvenirs and dishes, and from the surrounding fibers after a long treatment turns coconut coir, or coir - a strong natural fiber. Mattresses are made from it, weave ropes and ropes.

Both the pulp and coconut juice are delicious, rich in nutrients, which are traditionally used in the regions of coconut palm growth for preparing various dishes. From the dried pulp (copra) make coconut oil and milk: oil is used not only in cooking, but also in cosmetology. Coconut milk, obtained by soaking copra in hot water, is added to various dishes or drunk as a normal drink - it is very nutritious. Another popular product of processing fruits of coconut palms is coconut shavings, which is widely used in the food industry.

100 grams of coconut chips contain 592 kcal, 13 g of protein, 12 g of carbohydrates and 65 g of fat. Depending on the particle size, three grades of this product are distinguished, the most expensive of which is "fine" - shavings of fine grinding. On some culinary sites, you can find tips on how to cook coconut chips yourself. To do this, grate the coconut pulp on a small grater and dry it - but not in the sun, otherwise it can turn yellow. It should be remembered that such coconut chips are kept for a relatively short time, about one and a half to two months. The shelf life of chips, manufactured by industrial methods, is six months.

A coconut scrap is used not only in sweet dishes. In it, bread is smeared before cooking, rolls of "grated" cheese balls with garlic or crab sticks or other ingredients are dropped. Coconut shaving gives the original taste to different sauces: for their preparation, it is first fried until golden. Fat at the same time is not required - it is in sufficient quantity contained in the chips themselves. The delicate taste of this product is perfectly combined with fish: fried in batter with the addition of coconut chips, it acquires a delicious crispy crust. To make a batter, a glass of water is mixed with 2 tbsp. L. Lemon juice, here add flour (2/3 cup), a pinch of soda and salt, 3 tbsp. L. shavings. In this test, you can also roast vegetables - for example, cauliflower.

As for sweet dishes, then coconut chips do not know their peers: gentle "Raffaello", crispy biscuits and sweet coconut cream - all this can be prepared not only by experienced, but also by the beginning hostess. To prepare at home favorite many miniature cakes "Raffaello" you need a pack of butter, a bank of condensed milk, almonds, coconut shavings and vanilla sugar - it is added to taste. All the ingredients, except the shavings, are mixed (butter pre-melt). After that, the mixture is put into the refrigerator for 12 hours. From the cooled mass form small balls, putting inside each of them over the nucleus of almonds. For their culling, white coconut shavings are used. Caloric content of this dessert is quite high - more than 600 kcal in 100 grams, but sometimes it is not forbidden to treat yourself to this tasty dish even to those who watch their figure. You can add shavings to the mixture: in this case it will need about 200 grams. Experienced cooks are advised to partially replace the butter with melted white chocolate.

The secret of preparation of coconut biscuits is very simple: the shavings are added to the dough, usually in sand or protein - in the latter case, the original coconut "meringue" is obtained. As for the cream, according to the rules, it is prepared from milk and fresh coconut pulp, but fine shavings are also suitable - it is added to a traditional brew or a thicker cream oil. It retains the coconut flavor and aroma and is a worthy substitute for an exotic fruit - at least when making pastries and sweet dishes.