RECIPES

‘One of these nuts is a meal for a man, both meat and drink.’

The travels of Marco Polo (1254–1324)

BREAKFAST
SMOOTHIES

The creamy taste of coconut is ideal for making delicious and healthy dairy-free smoothies to give you a taste of the tropics.

SERVES: 2

PREPARATION: 5 MINUTES

MANGO, BANANA & MELON

INGREDIENTS

•200ml coconut milk

•1 banana

•a few mango chunks (you can use frozen ones)

•¼ melon, cut into chunks

•juice of ½ lime

•1 tsp dessicated coconut

Bananas contain potassium which is great for mood, and mango is rich in Vitamin C to boost your immune system. Place all the ingredients in a blender and whizz until completely smooth.

COCONUT WATER, SPINACH & BERRIES

INGREDIENTS

•200ml coconut water

•a handful of spinach leaves

•100g mixed berries (you can use frozen ones)

•1 pear, peeled and cored

Coconut water contains electrolytes which are great for maintaining good heart health and hydration, while berries are high in antioxidants and spinach is rich in folic acid. A super-smoothie! Blend the ingredients as above.

ENERGY BALLS

These quick and easy no-cook balls of goodness are packed with nutrients and make a perfect healthy snack.

MAKES: 12 BALLS

PREPARATION: 10 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS

•100g dates, chopped

•50g chopped walnuts

•1 tsp cocoa powder, plus extra for dusting

•1 tbsp cashew nut butter

•20ml orange juice

•20ml dessicated coconut

METHOD

Place all the ingredients in a blender and whizz until fully combined. Shake a thin layer of cocoa powder onto a plate. Form 12 balls from the mixture with your hands and roll them around in the cocoa powder until lightly dusted. Refrigerate.

COCONUT WATER WAS USED IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR IN PLACE OF SALINE WHEN NONE WAS AVAILABLE, DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT IS USUALLY STERILE.

COCONUT
PRAWNS

These quick and easy prawns make a delicious starter or snack. The coconut adds an extra texture to the crispy coating.

SERVES: 2

PREPARATION: 10 MINUTES

COOKING TIME: 4 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS

For the prawns:

•3 tbsp plain flour

•1 egg, beaten

•6 tbsp desiccated coconut

•6 tbsp panko breadcrumbs

•1 tbsp vegetable oil

•10 large prawns with tails intact

For the dip:

•3 tbsp mayonnaise

•1 clove garlic, crushed

•1 tbsp lemon juice

METHOD

Place the flour in one dish, the beaten egg in a second dish, and the coconut and breadcrumbs, mixed together, in a third dish.

Heat the oil. Dip the prawns in the flour, then shake off any excess flour and dip them in the egg. Finally roll the prawns around in the coconut mix, making sure they are coated evenly, before frying them in the oil for a couple of minutes on each side.

Mix together the dip ingredients and serve on the side.

TOP TIP

If you prefer you can substitute the garlic mayonnaise with a Thai sweet chilli dip.

THAI COCONUT
CHICKEN SOUP

Smooth coconut milk and calming chicken balance the spicy Thai flavours of lemongrass, ginger and lime in this deliciously comforting soup.

SERVES: 4

PREPARATION: 10 MINUTES

COOKING TIME: 20 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS

•1 small onion

•a thumb-sized piece of ginger

•1 red pepper

•1 tbsp vegetable oil

•stick of lemongrass

•3 kaffir lime leaves

•½ jar of red curry paste

•100g shitake or oyster mushrooms

•2 chicken breasts

•200ml chicken stock

•400ml can coconut milk

•1 tsp fish sauce

•1 tsp sugar

•juice of 1 lime

•a bunch of fresh coriander

•salt and freshly ground black pepper

METHOD

Finely chop the onion and ginger, and slice the red pepper thinly. Heat the oil gently in a saucepan and add the onion with the ginger, lemongrass, lime leaves and curry paste. Stir frequently while cooking until the onion is translucent, then add the pepper and mushrooms and stir for another minute.

Chop the chicken breasts and add to the pan, together with the chicken stock, coconut milk, fish sauce and sugar. Simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the chicken breasts, shred into small pieces and return to the saucepan.

Finally add the lime juice and most of the coriander, reserving a few for the garnish, and season to taste.

Garnish with the remaining coriander leaves and serve immediately.