Coconut has been declared the most useful plant, because it can be used for rope, soap, wine, textiles, baskets, bowls and glasses, as medicine, etc. Also, the fruit itself is very useful and provides several useful additions to your kitchen.
Allergies to coconut are very rare. Coconut is not from the nut family, but is the fruit of the palm tree. Many people think that it is not good to offer coconut to a baby, partly because they have prejudices that it can cause allergies or they don't know how coconut could be prepared for a baby, because pureed coconut is not really an option.
But there are so many ways and parts of coconut that can be consumed in different forms. For example, coconut milk can be used, which is very healthy and in many cultures is introduced to babies between 6-8 months of age. Coconut milk can be mixed with rice porridge and meat porridge. Also, coconut water has gained popularity worldwide in recent years.
Then coconut oil is an excellent substitute for standard oil.
Coconut water – can be eaten with a spoon, because its texture is like jelly.
Coconut juice – juice is not the same as milk and is often used for newborns.
Coconut leaves - is used to wrap food during cooking.
Coconut meat - firm, sweet and nutty texture of white color. You can cut or grate it fresh or buy it canned. The bark must be peeled before eating. If you buy ready-made coconut products, take care, because they are usually additionally sweetened, so it is best to use fresh fruit if you plan to mix it with other types of vegetables or meat, and sugar is not good for your baby.
Coconut milk – squeezed directly from the coconut fruit and mixed with water. It can also be bought in powder form, frozen or canned. It is often used as an addition to dishes during cooking, especially when making sauces or broths.
Coconut cream – the first extract of coconut milk is actually quite thick at a ratio of 4:1 (coconut : water). It is often used as an addition to sauces or desserts.
Copra - dry "meat" of coconut.
Coconut oil - by squeezing the "copra" you get coconut oil, which is used for cooking, toppings for ice cream, crackers, soups. Coconut oil can also be obtained by heating coconut milk or cream to the point where the oil begins to separate.
Coconut milk spoils quickly, so it can last only a few hours at room temperature, up to 2 days in the refrigerator, so if you don't plan to consume it right away, freeze it.
When reheating or cooking coconut milk and cream, you must cook gently, on low heat, stirring constantly to avoid the oil separating.
Read HERE about spices in baby food >>>
The benefits of coconut?
Coconut is a very healthy food. Coconut "meat" is full of B vitamins, protein, zinc, phosphorus and iron. The fats that coconut contains are healthy fats. Also, coconut contains lauric acid, which is found in mother's milk, and it also strengthens and protects the body.
Organic, hand-pressed extra virgin coconut oil is considered one of the healthiest oils available. At room temperature, coconut oil has a firm texture and is considered an excellent alternative to margarine or butter.
How to prepare coconut "meat"?
Grate it and soak it in hot water for about 15 minutes. Strain it through cheesecloth and you will get a coconut cream that is thick and strong in taste. Put the contents in the refrigerator, which will allow the watery part to separate from the cream - that's how you get coconut milk. You can remove the cream from the top as well as the cream, and the coconut milk will remain at the bottom.
Do not throw away the strained part, but repeat the whole process to get coconut milk.
You can also cut off pieces of coconut "meat" and blend it. Then pour hot water over it and blend a little more at the fastest speed. Finally, strain and put in the fridge.
Idea for using coconut in baby food?
- Add some coconut milk or a very small amount of coconut cream to the mashed banana.
- Mash the sweet potatoes with 1/4 cup coconut milk and a little ginger.
- Use coconut milk as a topping with pumpkin puree.
- Cut a sweet potato or a slice of pumpkin, cover with coconut milk and put in the oven to bake for about 30 minutes until soft. Puree and serve.
- Use coconut water to cook rice.
- Add some coconut milk or cream to your oatmeal for a healthy breakfast.
- Use coconut milk in the shakes you make for your baby.
- If you soak vegetables in water, try soaking them in coconut milk.
- Pour coconut milk over boneless fish (such as hake).
- For older babies, you can add grated coconut "meat" along with the rice while you cook it.
As you may have noticed, smaller babies are generally given coconut milk and water, while from 6+ months or when you introduce meat and fish, you can start using grated coconut in food preparation - bake, cook, pour over... Coconut is healthy for your baby!
Ana Vuletic
Originally published: 09.05.2018.
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