
An oil that's naturally solid at room temperature (well, ok, not when it's 100 degrees outside)? That's, right, coconut oil firms up at about 76 degrees F, making it a possible alternative to partially hydrogenated oils like shortening and margarine. It's also dairy-free, a good fit if you are on a CF diet or can't use butter.
And it smells and tastes like fresh coconuts, yum!
I've been reading a lot lately about different fats and oils and their relative healthiness. Our family stopped using margarine and canola oil a years ago...and I'm always looking for possible natural alternatives.
Tropical Traditions sent me a quart of their certified organic Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil. You can read all about their wonderful oil here.
We've been having fun baking some of our favorite foods with coconut oil. It adds a little hint of flavor to chocolate chip cookies, a sweet complexity to whole-grain cornbread and even an interesting twist to pie crust...
Pie crust? Am I weird? Maybe, but the kiddos loved it when I made a Quiche Lorraine and used coconut oil in my pie dough instead of butter or shortening. The crust was tender, flakey, and tasty. A little less brown and crisp than usual, but my 6-year-old actually preferred it that way...and no trouble with burnt crust!
We haven't even tried any of the free recipes from Tropical Traditions, yet...but, I see someone has already posted a recipe for pie crust. (And I thought I was being so original {grin}.
I will share my Whole-Grain Cornbread invention (inspired by Betty Crocker's Cornbread recipe)---this is definitely not southern cornbread, but it's good for those of us with a sweet-tooth:
A note on the cornmeal: I use Brinser's Best Yellow Cornmeal, which is regional for us. It is roasted, so the color is a little less "bright yellow" and has a slight sweetness to it. It is not de-germinated.
1 cup milk
1/4 coconut oil (liquified)
2 large eggs
1-1/4 cups yellow cornmeal (preferably not de-germinated, if you want whole grain)
1 cup whole wheat flour (I use King Arthur's White Whole Wheat)
1/4 cup sugar (you can use more or less if you like)
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
a little solid coconut oil to grease the pan
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Grease the bottom and sides of a 9" round pan or 8" square pan with some solid coconut oil.
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs with a whisk. Add milk and oil and beat until smooth. Add all the other ingredients and mix with a wooden spoon just until mixed.
- Pour in the pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until it starts to brown and a toothpick or knife comes out clean. Serve right away with butter or jam.
While you can buy Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil from Tropical Traditions (they even have a 100% money back guarantee on the 16 oz trial size!), one of my readers will win a free quart of coconut oil!
Deadline to enter: August 15, 2010 ( midnight EST)
This giveaway is open to anyone in the U.S. or Canada (note, Tropical Traditions is not responsible for customs or duties to Canada)!
Please leave a separate comment for each entry.
Mandatory to enter: Leave a comment telling me about a favorite recipe you'd like to re-imagine using coconut oil. (1 entry)
Note: Please be sure to leave your email in your comment if it is not in your profile.
Optional additional entries:
- Subscribe to Tropical Traditions Newsletter. (1 entry)
- Follow me in GFC. (1 entry)
- Blog about this giveaway---leave a link to your post in your comment. (3 entries)
- Follow me on Twitter and tweet this giveaway. (1 entry)\
- Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter. (1 entry)
I would like to try it in Brownies.
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ReplyDeleteI want to try it in my mom's oatmeal-chip cookies. Mmmm.
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ReplyDeleteWe use coconut oil whenever possible (though I've never tried Tropical Traditions brand, and have been dying to!). But I LOVE it in brownies, it adds a delicious coconut flavor to them YUMMMMMM!!!
ReplyDeleteI have used coconut oil occasionally, and I think it would taste great in brownies! :)
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ReplyDeleteBrownies or pie crust...sounds soo good!
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ReplyDeletei love coconut oil. i love love love using it to fry tortillas!!
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ReplyDeleteI would like to re-image my family's secret recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies.
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I'd also like to try it in a pie crust, but for a key lime pie recipe using a regular pie crust instead of graham cracker, with a white chocolate layer to go with the crust.
ReplyDeletewe love coconut oil! We use it in pie crust, oatmeal and oatmeal cookies, c.c. cookies, crust for pot-pie, in place of oil for pancakes, & cornbread, and added to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. YUMM! I have been wanting to give Tropical Traditions a try since my last source sent a bad batch. Thanks for this contest!
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ReplyDeleteI would love to try this in one of my favorite cakes, Black Forest! I think it would be great!! Thanks! icalledonjesus@aol.com
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ReplyDeleteI use it in a salad dressing I made up. It adds a great flavor along with Bragg's Liquid Aminos, a little Bragg's raw Vinegar, fresh garlic, paprika, and a little dill weed and dried chilies.
ReplyDeleteHomeschooling hearts & minds - I've seen a recipe for a firm but spreadable margarine replacement using part coconut oil (which hardens when cool) and a liquid oil. I'd like to redo a recipe for croissants using vegetable oils, and I think this might work instead of butter if cold. I've heard TT is the best coconut oil on the market but haven't gotten around to trying it... this would be a good time to give it a try!
ReplyDeleteLibby - How do you keep the salad dressing from getting hard ^& separating in the fridge?
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ReplyDeleteCoconut oil tastes great on steamed or baked yams (optional: add a little maple syrup too!)
ReplyDeleteIt's not exactly a recipe, but coconut oil makes a great body moisturizer (and skin absorbs some of the nutrients as well)
ReplyDeleteI make it fresh each time-it's very fast to make. Or heat slightly before tossing on-it melts at 70degrees.I'm on a raw foods diet for cancer, so fresh is always best for me :)
ReplyDeleteI want to try it in peanut butter cookies.
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I'd like to try it in pancakes.
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ReplyDeleteHi, I would love to try it spread on my homemade pizza crust under the sauce and lightly fry my vegetables in it with the palm oil and place them on top!!!! Ohhh that sounds delicious
ReplyDeleteI'd like to try this in my zucchini cake
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I'd like to try the coconut oil in chocolate chip cookies.
ReplyDeletemichelle dot lee dot carter at gmail dot com
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OK,so you inspired me, and I tried some of my tiny little NOT Tropical Traditions Coconut oil in two recipes this week. Today I made a biscuit recipe (Very "light", but also crumbly), and Monday I made some Oatmeal Scones.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to try out TT Coconut oil! :)
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ReplyDeleteI want to try it with a recipe for empanadas.
ReplyDeleteI've used coconut oil for popping popcorn. No greasy residue on the popcorn OR pan. I'd like to try some baking next.
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ReplyDeleteWe use cononut oil for everything - even scambled eggs - it is so delicious in chocolate chip cookies!!
ReplyDeleteI would like to try it while baking this fall, I make a lot of pies, breads and try new recipes throughout the cooler months!
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ReplyDeleteI have an award for you...Thanks for all the cute posts about the kiddos~
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I would LIKE to try making Blueberry muffins using Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil
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I use coconut oil in everything. I haven't tried it in my mom's Cowboy Cookie recipe. I bet it would be good!
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I have been thinking it would be great in pie crust too. My favorite pie right now is blackberry pie.
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