It’s fair to say that coconut oil is one of the most popular and trending household items today. It can be used in bath bombs to moisturise dry skin. It can be added to deodorants to help get rid of bad odours throughout the day. It can even be added to recipes that require healthier alternatives. Surprised, huh?
Well, there’s more to this wonder oil than you might think. Coconut oil is actually an amazing kitchen ingredient that helps you in a whole heap of different ways.
Check out these clever coconut oil uses below:
Sweetener
Are you on a strict diet? One thing you’ll definitely have to avoid is sugar, because as you know, over-consumption of sugar may lead to serious health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and obesity.
The good news is that there is always coconut oil. Did you know that in place of sugar, coconut oil can be added to your daily cup of coffee? And unlike other types of sweeteners, it does not have an impact on blood sugar levels.
Coffee Enhancer
Do you want to add a healthy twist to your daily cup of morning coffee? Coconut oil might just be what you need. When added to coffee, it can help you in your weight loss efforts and provide an added energy boost.
Add a spoonful of extra virgin coconut oil into your cup of freshly brewed coffee for a decadent twist. Blend until a layer of thick foam forms on top of your drink. Drink and enjoy!
Cooking Oil
There are many different types of oil we use to cook food – palm oil, vegetable oil, and peanut oil, to name but a few. However interestingly, some of them may contribute to obesity and other serious health issues, which is why health experts suggest the use of alternative cooking oils wherever possible.
One of the healthiest and safest cooking oils to use is coconut oil. Thanks to its high smoke point, it does not emit any harmful free radicals that could potentially lead to health problems. To use, simply toss a tablespoon in the pan for stir fry dishes and et voila you are good to go.
Salad Dressing
When we talk about salad dressings, balsamic vinegar and olive oil always make a good pair. However, not everyone appreciates the combination of both ingredients. For that reason, it’s good to try and make small changes to this already known salad dressing tandem.
As a substitute for olive oil, some people use coconut oil. This oil has a similar texture, but has a more subtle and sweet flavour that compliments most types of salad.
Butter Substitute
Butter has long played a vital role in cooking, but if you are looking to stay fit and healthy, you might want to consider substituting butter with coconut oil, because of its many and varied health benefits.
For instance, if you wish to prepare toast, spread with coconut oil and a bit of cinnamon instead of your usual butter and jam. There’s something to be said about the somewhat nutty taste and sweet flavour of the oil.
Grease Cast-Iron Pan
If you own a cast-iron pan, you know that greasing it up is very important after every use. Then again, you need to consider the fact that slathering animal fats into your cookware might not be the best in terms of your health.
The good news is that coconut oil can save your day. Drop a tablespoon of coconut oil in the pan and smooth it all across the pan, right up to the rim. By doing that, you can be rest assured that food will no longer stick to it when you next come to use it.
Shortening
In some countries, unhealthy fats are being banned because of their effects on the body. And unfortunately, most of these unhealthy fats are being used in baked goods.
But of course, that should not be a major problem and stop us from eating yummy treats. Coconut oil can be used as a substitute for unhealthy fats that are so commonly used in baking, for example shortening or lard. Not only does it add a sweet yet subtle flavour, but it also yields a crisp consistency, especially when baking biscuits and pies.
Now, are you ready to twist off the lid of your virgin coconut oil jar? It’s time for you to unleash the power of this wonder oil in your kitchen!
Author Bio
Catherine finds joy in the simplest things. Her passion for traveling is equally matched by her love for animals. Whenever she’s in the mood for experimenting, you can find her in the kitchen trying out new recipes, most likely desserts. She shares her expertise about nutritious and organic foods like coconut oil on her blog Free Coconut Recipes. You can find out what she’s up to by following her social media accounts, Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
