If you can’t let go of dairy products but are in dire need of a milk substitute, coconut milk is your best bet. It’s excellent for making rich, indulgent sauces and creams while being healthy and vegan, making it a formidable ingredient in any recipe. It’s highly nutritious, with one cup containing 17 grams of healthy fats, 0.2 grams of protein, and other nutrients like vitamin C, magnesium, folate, iron, and potassium.
Coconut milk brings you all the fantastic tastes of cow’s milk without its adverse effects. You’ll be enjoying much healthier, tastier meals by using coconut milk in them. Here are six vegan recipes to try that use coconut milk:
1. Vegan Tom Yum Soup
Thailand is home to one of the world’s most flavorful cuisines that use a lot of coconut milk. Tom yum or tom yam is a spicy-sour soup that uses shrimp or chicken, but you can swap this out for tofu and mushrooms for the vegan variant. Add some coconut milk to offset the heat with some cream, and you’ll have the perfect bowl of soup to warm you up on a cold day.
2. Vegan Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is a crowd favorite due to its simplicity and comfort. The best part about vegan mac and cheese is that it’s guilt-free without surrendering the indulgent taste it is known for, as you’ll get just as much creaminess by swapping out cow’s milk for coconut milk. To add more creamy consistency, throw in soaked cashews to go with full-fat coconut milk, and you’ll unlock more flavor profiles in this deceptively simple recipe.
3. Greek Lemon Rice Soup
Known as avgolemono, this dish is light, refreshing, and delicious. It consists of lemon, rice, chicken, and egg, but you can swap these out with silken tofu, nutritional yeast, and your ever-reliable coconut milk for the vegan option. You’ll end up with another mouthwatering comfort food that is fundamental to Greek cuisine, so it’s definitely a recipe to try.
4. Coconut Rice Pudding
Giving up cow’s milk doesn’t mean you need to swear off creamy desserts, as there are plenty you can make with coconut milk. For instance, you can use coconut milk to make coconut rice pudding with ginger-flavored fruit toppings, like pineapples and berries. These ingredients make for a delectable, refreshing dessert that won’t leave you feeling heavy and overfull like many indulgent treats do. You’ll also enjoy a wide range of flavors and textures from these ingredients, leaving you wanting more.
5. Vegan Scalloped Potatoes
French scalloped potatoes made their mark through their unique use of cheese and the gratin technique, resulting in a beautiful golden-brown crust. The good news is that you can enjoy this dish vegan-style by opting for vegan cheese or swapping the dairy with coconut milk, adding more flavor and depth to this dish.
6. Vegan Chicken Tikka Masala
Many Indian dishes are vegan, and while this recipe involves meat, you can easily use meat substitutes or tofu. This recipe starkly resembles the original dish while being easy to prepare, making it an excellent meal for when you’re too busy to cook an elaborate dish. The savory combination of coconut milk and spices will result in a harmony of flavor, where your taste buds are sure to sing.
Conclusion
Coconut milk is a must-have for aspiring vegetarians and vegans or for those who need an equally delicious but healthier milk substitute. By trying these recipes, you’ll unlock a whole new gastronomic world.
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