Coconut oil has been used in South Pacific regions for centuries to supplement a healthy, balanced diet. Although it is high in saturated fats, these are believed to be of the kind most beneficial to the body. It can also be applied directly to the skin and hair to create a healthier appearance and protect against damage.
If you would like to incorporate coconut oil powder or solids into your diet, here’s a few tempting treats to try!
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Who doesn’t love a soft and chewy choc chip cookie every now and then? This version contains no butter, and replaces refined white flour with healthier almond flour. If you are trying to cut down on your sugar intake, swap it for a sweetener. Dairy-free chocolate chips are also available, if you prefer.
Ingredients
250g of blanched almond flour
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1 teaspoon of almond extract
3 tablespoons of sugar or sweetener
2 tablespoons of coconut oil
100g of dark chocolate chips
2 tablespoons of maple syrup
30ml of dairy or almond milk
Method
Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Next, heat up the maple syrup and coconut oil together in a small saucepan. Add the mixture to the dry ingredients, and blend in the vanilla extract and milk. Stir through the chocolate chips, and press small amounts of the mixture onto a lined baking tray. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Avocado Pasta with Peas and Mint
This recipe is healthy and tasty, and super easy to make! It is also just as nice cold, so you can keep leftovers in the fridge for lunches.
Ingredients
375g pasta, such as penne or fusilli
1 large avocado (or 2 small)
2 garlic cloves
2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
½ tsp salt
1 lemon, juice and zest
6 fresh mint leaves
150g fresh peas (or frozen and defrosted)
1 large red chilli (optional)
Method
Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the packet, then drain and set to one side. Peel and destone the avocado, and peel and crush the garlic cloves. Put the garlic, avocado, salt, coconut oil, lemon juice, zest and mint leaves into a blender with four tablespoons of water.
If you don’t have a blender, you can use a bowl and pestle or a stick blender. As long as you can achieve a smooth paste, that is the most important thing. If the mixture becomes too firm, carefully add small amounts of water until it loosens up. Don’t go too far though!
Combine the pate in a serving bowl with the pasta, and add in the peas. If you like a bit of spice in your dishes, you can grate some red chilli over the finished product!
Tea and Coffee
One final very simple tip to consume coconut oil is to add it into your hot drinks. You can just add 1 teaspoon directly into your cup, stirring well until it melts. Alternatively, add it into the coffee blender. You can also add spices such as cinnamon or turmeric for extra flavour.