I have started cooking with coconut oil over the last few months. I love that this is a healthier oil and my family seems to really love the taste of the foods. However, I know it is solid at room temperature. This makes it difficult to mix into recipes evenly. I made muffins this morning and the coconut oil was still very chunky when I spooned it into the muffin cups. Is this the way it is supposed to be? Is there a trick I do not know about? Please let me know how you cook with coconut oil and if it matters if it does not mix evenly.
Also, I was keeping it near my stove top and noticed on several occasions it got warm enough to turn to liquid then went back to solid form again. I have since taken it off the stove, but is it still good? I used it this morning and with the exception of it being a little harder than before it seemed fine. Any insights?
Permalink Reply by Pat on October 4, 2008 at 1:08pm
Generally, I just melt the coconut oil (in the microwave, maybe not a great idea?) and mix it into the batter last. So, it doesn't harden upon touching cold eggs, cold milk, etc. Are you using an electric egg beater? That seems to distribute it well throughout the batter.
Mostly, I'm doing batters according to the Sue Gregg blender method. She soaks the whole grains overnight with an acid medium, and they all come to room temperature. Then I add the coconut oil in the morning, and blend it all together in the blender. Or soak the flour overnight and add oil in the am, before the cold eggs. The blender mixes it all up well. http://www.suegregg.com/recipes/breakfasts/blenderbatterwaffles/ble...
Our coconut oil is stored in the cupboard. It gets soft when the house is warm, hard when the house is cold. Perhaps, it is preferable for the temp to remain constant, in the refrigerator after opening? Not sure.
I leave mine near the stove so that it tends to stay warmer and more liquid. I do heat it in the m/w if I need it to be liquid for mixing. I also try to get the other ingredients close to room temperature (mainly the eggs), to keep the oil from chunking up while I mix. It will melt out while its cooking, so its okay if its still a little chunky when you put it in the oven.
The freezing/thawing around room temperature won't turn it rancid. The saturated fat makes it a very stable oil. You'll know when it goes bad. Don't put it in the fridge - it will turn into a rock!
I have been wondering about this oil. Does it flavor everything like coconut. My dh hates coconut, so I was wondering if the oil gave off a strong flavor in the food.
Permalink Reply by Pat on October 5, 2008 at 6:55pm
My family does not like the flavor of the coconut oil, even when used in baking. I do like it. But, there is a refined version which costs more and has no coconut flavor. I believe the unrefined, virgin oil is healthier, though.
My kids were a little skeptical at first so I would split the coconut oil with another oil to dilute the taste more. So if a recipe called for 2 tablespooons of oil, I would do 1 of coconut and 1 of olive oil or grapeseed oil. Now I do all coconut oil. It is not a strong flavor, but pretty subtle. I have only used it for baking so far such as muffins, cookies, pancakes.
Yes, the unrefined is healthier.
I don't use my microwave much anymore. I usually mix it with a hand mixer into my recipes if possible. I could try heating it on the stove a little to warm as well. I need to find little pots for my stove for warming such things as coconut oil, butter and syrup. I don't like dirtying the big pots for all of those little things. I will have to look into that.
We like Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. I originally bought it at Earth Fare, however, I now get it through vitacost.com. I love vitacost.com I buy a lot from them. It is much less expensive than Earth Fare. I just googled and vitacost has 3 different sizes up to 42% off. I don't know if Trader Joe's carries it. I will have to look next time. I believe Spectrum has an unrefined coconut oil as well, but I have not tried it.
you can find cheap enamel small pots in ethnic stores. Try those who carry middleastern produce. That's where I got mine, they have some type where we usually make arabian coffee, they come in different sizes with one long handle. I use it to warm milk, boil eggs etc...
Permalink Reply by Pat on October 8, 2008 at 11:27am
You have just saved me so much money! We love Vitacost. I had no idea I could get coconut oil from them. EF is sooooo expensive and we go through CO fast.
I love vitacost too! I buy our shampoo and lotion there too at a better price. I buy so much the $5 shipping is a great value. I always have a running list of stuff I need at vitacost!
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