Coconut, Cherry, Banana Smoothie

Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 cups coconut milk*
• 3 cups baby spinach
• 4 cups frozen cherries
• 2 bananas
• 6 dates
• 1 teaspoon vanilla, optional

Blend coconut milk and spinach until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.

Serve cold.

*For the freshest coconut milk, make homemade coconut milk. (See video at this link.)

Kelly from Monterey, California, won $50 for this recipe and photo! Submit your recipes and photos here!

Indian, Coconut Rice Pulao

Servings: 2
Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Basmati rice, or any long grain rice
• 2 cups coconut milk*
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 cloves
• 2 green cardamom pods
• 4 black peppercorns
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/2 knob ginger, finely grated or chopped
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil or coconut oil
• salt to taste
• 1 medium size carrot, peeled and finely chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh peas
• 1 tablespoon sliced cashews
• 1/2 tablespoon shredded coconut

Homemade Fresh Coconut Milk:

*For the freshest coconut milk, make homemade coconut milk. (See video at this link.)

Directions:

Wash and clean the basmati rice 2–3 times in filtered water, and then soak for 30 minutes.

Prepare coconut milk and set aside.

Drain the soaked rice and add it to a rice cooker with the prepared coconut milk. (You can also use a pressure cooker or pot on the stovetop to cook the rice.)

In a small pan, add olive oil or coconut oil. When the oil is hot, add bay leaf, cardamom pods, cloves, and black peppercorns, Sauté on low heat until it releases the aroma.

Add the cumin seeds. When the seeds stop to sizzle, add the grated or chopped ginger and sauté for 2 minutes. Now add the chopped carrots and green peas. Sauté on medium heat for 3–4 minutes, and then add this into the rice cooker.

Add water as required for the rice to cook. Cover the cooker with the lid and cook until done.

Meanwhile, in a small pan, add 2 teaspoons olive oil or coconut oil. Sauté the cashews and the shredded coconut for 2 minutes on low heat. Add this to the cooked rice. Combine well.

Serve coconut rice pulao with curry or green chutney.

Antara from Minneapolis, MI, won $50 for this recipe and photo! Submit your recipes and photos here!

Dairy-Free, Coconut, Banana Ice Cream

Servings: 8
Preparation Time: 5 minutes active preparation

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups cold, coconut milk*
• 2 large or 3 small bananas, frozen
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• pinch salt

Homemade Coconut Milk:

*For the freshest coconut milk, make homemade coconut milk. (See video at this link.)

Directions:

Blend all ingredients. Pour into your ice cream maker, ice cream ball, or use any preferred ice cream making method.

Kelly from Monterey, CA, won $50 for this recipe and photo! Submit your recipes here!