Just as Melbourne baristas get used to serving up almond milk lattes, there’s a new dairy alternative to learn how to froth and foam. A brand new form of Coconut Milk is now available with a cow’s milk consistency, plus calcium and kilojoule counts that make it a contender as a dairy replacement and not just a laksa staple. So when Vitasoy invited us to road test their new product, we decided that we better investigate, as we are sure it will take off as the coconut craze continues.
According to one of my favourite Balinese cookbook authours, the amazing Janet DeNeefe, “The beloved coconut is to Balinese cooking as the olive is to the Mediterranean. It’s a jack-of-all-trades that wears many hats, from food and ceremonial offerings to medicine and cosmetics, and it’s benefits are endless.” When it comes to health research on coconut oil, butter and milks we have a long way to go to match the Mediterranean diet research, but it’s a very interesting space to watch evolve. So in keeping with the power of traditional diets we decided to stick with traditional ingredients like palm sugar and vanilla beans and mix up these stunning vanilla and ginger infused Coconut Milk & Mango Pops. Just a perfect little portion as desserts do not feature that prominently in Balinese cuisine.
Place 300mL of Vitasoy Coconut Milk Original in a small saucepan with 30mL Buderim Ginger cordial and a split vanilla pod. Heat on a gentle simmer to infuse for 15minutes. Meanwhile soften 1 gelatin sheet in a bowl of cold water for 5 minutes. Squeeze out excess water and then add to the Coconut Milk saucepan and stir to dissolve. Set aside to cool.
Heat one cup of tropical fruit, we used mango, in 3 cubes of palm sugar syrup to soften and combine.
Fill your popsicle moulds with a layer of mango syrup and then pour in the Coconut Milk. Freeze overnight.
With a white as snow opaque colour and strong coconut flavour, the new dairy alternatives are a similar consistency to lite milk and available in Vitasoy Coconut Milk Original and Vitasoy Coconut Milk Unsweetened. Ingredients in the Original are filtered water, coconut cream, raw sugar and added minerals (calcium & phosphate), natural flavour, stabilisers and sea salt. The full nutrition panels are here.
As you know we believe the key to good nutrition is variety, so this newcomer is a flavourful addition to anyone on a dairy free diet. We recommend mixing up your dairy alternatives and speaking to an Accredited Practising Dietitian about your special diet. They will help balance your nutrient intakes and factor in other health needs like managing high cholesterol levels. Coconut Milk products are higher in saturated fat compared with cow’s milk and other dairy alternatives. They are also not suitable as the main drink for children under 5years.
And for the rest of us? Take the time to whip up our Coconut Milk & Mango Pops as a blissful way to welcome the coming of Summer.
Vitasoy provided product samples and funds to our Scoop Supporter program in connection with this post.
