(on a personal note - I've been incredibly busy lately... really, really busy, but here's a quick post to let you all know I'm still alive and kicking)
Fresh Coconut - I have a love/hate relationship with it. I love the flavor and texture, but I hate what I have to endure going through to get into that shell! I'd do it every once in a while, just for the fun of it (not), but after sustaining an incredibly painful injury to the palm of my hand while attempting to open a fresh coconut with a hammer several years ago (a supposedly fool proof way - wrong), I decided it would be best to avoid the wicked beasts for the rest of my life! That was, until recently when I watched Martha Stewart demonstrate what looked like an incredibly easy and SAFE technique, so I thought I'd give it a try.
YES! Martha's technique worked like a charm and I'll never again be afraid to crack open a coconut. Thank you Martha!!
Okay, here we go:
Fresh Coconut - I have a love/hate relationship with it. I love the flavor and texture, but I hate what I have to endure going through to get into that shell! I'd do it every once in a while, just for the fun of it (not), but after sustaining an incredibly painful injury to the palm of my hand while attempting to open a fresh coconut with a hammer several years ago (a supposedly fool proof way - wrong), I decided it would be best to avoid the wicked beasts for the rest of my life! That was, until recently when I watched Martha Stewart demonstrate what looked like an incredibly easy and SAFE technique, so I thought I'd give it a try.
YES! Martha's technique worked like a charm and I'll never again be afraid to crack open a coconut. Thank you Martha!!
Okay, here we go:
When you're at the grocery store, be prepared to Shake-Shake-Shake. Select a coconut with plenty of juice in it - they start off completely filled with juice and slowly, over time, the juice evaporates. Pass on coconuts with little or no juice.
The hardest part about this technique is making the holes to drain the juice. I like to use a drill. Power tools in the kitchen are fun.
The hardest part about this technique is making the holes to drain the juice. I like to use a drill. Power tools in the kitchen are fun.
Hello Handsome.
Next drain the yummy coconut juice. Drink it up - it's naturally high in electrolytes.
Now we pop that baby into a preheated oven and wait for this to happen.Can you hear the angels sing??
:)happy-happy
Peel and Enjoy!
Look at that glorious mound of coconut love.1 coconut, drained
1 oven, preheated
1 oven proof container
Preheat the oven to 400F with the oven rack placed in the center. Drain the liquid out of the coconut (see note below). Place the drained coconut in a shallow pan and place it in the oven for 10-15 minutes until the hard outer shell is visibly cracked. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. The soft meat of the coconut will separate from the hard outer shell. Peel the dark skin from the coconut meat using a vegetable peeler. Your coconut is now ready to slice or shred.
Note: The easiest way I find to puncture the eyes of the coconut is to use an electric drill, but some people report good results using an ice pick, screwdriver, or hammer and nail.
Posts
Wow! That's really cool. I've never seen any instructions about how to crack open a coconut, so this is good info.
ReplyDeleteSo you're saying a chain saw isn't the best way???
ReplyDeleteNow HOW did I ever miss this tip! I once sustained a nasty injury the same way! Thanks! (and I've missed you)
ReplyDeletexoxo Pattie
Debbi - Hmmm, a chain saw - now why didn't I thing of that? :)
ReplyDeleteHi Pattie - I miss you too (and let's not even talk about your wonderful food... oy!). I'm so behind in reading my blogs, but as soon as the work load eases up, I'm going to devote an entire day or two to catch-up.
Wow!!! Now, how does one open and peel an acorn squash without losing fingers? Did you watch How to Boil an Egg on Steamy Kitchen? Hilarious ending!
ReplyDeletehttp://steamykitchen.com/10610-fun-finds-on-the-web.html
Great to have you back in the world of blogging :) I've missed your posts.
ReplyDeleteI have never used a fresh coconut, this tip inspires me. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBarb
No kidding? How cool is this? I love fresh coconut, but I hate getting it out of the shell. I will be trying this at home!
ReplyDeleteOnly knowing the 'hammer on concrete patio or garage floor' method I am so happy to know about using the oven to get inside to all that goodness! What a wonderful tip and thank you!
ReplyDeleteI stopped buying fresh coconuts after my husband found out that I'd opened one by smashing it into the front porch. Your method may not be as quick, but it's probably better. :) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAmazing that a daunting job can really be this easy. At last, a good coconut pie is in the future. Thanks for this great tip.
ReplyDeleteWell I'll be! That's pretty slick. Leave it to Martha. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for this ... will come in very useful!!
ReplyDeleteDelighted to be following you now :-}
It can't be that easy! Thanks so much for the great tip.
ReplyDeletewoah! that is SO easy!! i remember watching my cousins try to hack open a coconut when we were in hawaii. it kept them busy for several hours. this looks much quicker!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! the recipes look amazing!
ReplyDeleteI have a love-love relationship with coconuts. The water is so refreshing to drink on a hot day. You are right -- is it major effort to get one open. Just picture my home grown coconuts with a thick, green fibrous outer layer that first needs to be hacked through with a hatchet or machete. By the time I get it open, I am more than ready for that cool, restoring drink.
ReplyDeleteKathleen
Ok, first up, I'm glad to see you back. I've missed your posts! And second, YOU ROCK for this. I just bought a coconut a few weeks back and it was quite the site to see with me smacking it against anything hard I could find. This does look a whole lot easier and a lot less painful.
ReplyDeleteDon't be a stranger, we miss you!
This is really cool and safe! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love coconut, it reminds me of Costa Rica.
ReplyDeleteHi Patricia!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing - that is awesome!! I love coconut and I'm positively obsessed with coconut water. But you are right, the prospect of opening is always so daunting!!
juliesmeltingpot
Good to know. I've only ever tried a hammer. It didn't work and I gave it to a friend because I didn't know what else to do. Never bought one again.
ReplyDelete"Power tools in the kitchen are fun", LOL!Wow...I'm amazed it is that easy~ leave it to Martha. Thanks for sharing this tip :-)
ReplyDeleteWow - That is GREAT tip! Coconuts always scared me now I thing I'm ready to give 'em a shot. :)
ReplyDeletePatricia...this is a great tip and I would probably use it if it weren't for the fact that Hubby only somewhat tolerates my liking of coconut. Hence, I only use it sparingly.
ReplyDeleteGreat post...I'll pass it along to 2 friends of mine ;o)
Flavourful wishes,
Claudia
Well Gee!! I live in Florida, and we have coconuts everywhere! I had no idea i could stick one in the oven and it would do that. I learn something new everyday! Hooray for Martha Stewart!! She knows a lot!!
ReplyDelete