Coconut milk

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 3:29 pm

Does anyone have a favorite brand? Why? Have you tried different brands?

I bought a bunch of Golden Star coconut milk because they were on serious sale, but the flavor did not seem as good as others I have just picked up without checking the brand.
This milk is separated into water and "cream", and has a very "canned" taste.
Any advice.

draperygoddess · Post by **draperygoddess** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 4:37 pm

I usually get the So Delicious, but I'm not picky--rarely use it, just in recipes.

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 5:00 pm

I only use canned coconut milk in recipes. So Delicious doesn't make a can. Their milk is not rich enough for ice cream, my addiction.

Martha · Post by **Martha** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 5:28 pm

I use Goya canned coconut milk for cooking.

I use So Delicious milk as a milk alternative, alternating with Blue Diamond almond milk, but I agree, Lesley, that it isn't rich enough for ice cream. The Goya would work well. It's made in the Dominican Republic, with the label in both English and Spanish. You might be able to find it in LA, since you are close to Mexico.

I've heard that Thai brands are also good, but haven't tried them myself, since they are more expensive than Goya.

Martha

Post by **tex** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 6:11 pm

I used Thai coconut milk back when I was recovering. It seemed pretty rich, so it should work OK for ice cream.

Tex

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 7:13 pm

Silk is good too. Not a big fan of any of them but I'm learning to like it since I can't have soy now.

Robin · Post by **Robin** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 7:53 pm

I like Trader Joes coconut milk. It does come in a can (green and white). Its less fat than regular coconut milk. I do use it in my ice cream and it works well. If you want the fat and a really heavy milk then use the Goya like Martha recommended. Now that is a delicious ice cream very very addicting! Goya comes in a can and you usually can find it in the spanish/ mexican isle of the supermarket.

Good luck
Robin

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 8:17 pm

Thanks guys! That helps. I think the one I have is NOT a good one because the last 2 batches of ice cream aren't as good as the first one.

I don't eat much of it at a time, but when I DO have it I want it to taste good. The last one I made was lime, and I was sure it would be delicious - lime and coconut with some mint? No brainer. But though good it tastes "canned', or "stale" as my son said (another ice cream addict).

I haven't seen canned coconut milk at TJs, only boxes. I have to have another look, but from the way you describe it, Robin, it's like the Ralph's own make, the light version. It's good, but not as good as the full version. They haven't had it for a while, but they had it today.

Today, when I went, I got the Ralph's make, which made MUCH better ice cream. I want to see how it is with lime, coconut, and mint. Yum!

I haven't tried the Goya, Martha, because I haven't seen it. I'll bet, though, it's more expensive.

I use the So Delicious for my coffee in the morning. I can't get used to black coffee, but I can drink one cup with the milk. I don't like, and can't have almond milk, and my beloved rice milk is off the menu.

I knew I would get help here. I always do.

Martha · Post by **Martha** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 8:30 am

The Goya canned coconut milk is $1.59 at Kroger. LA is likely to be more expensive than Dallas, though.

BarbaraH · Post by **BarbaraH** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 11:20 am

Some stores carry Goya coconut milk in the section with cocktail mixes. I guess they figure the only reason people use it is to make Pina Coladas.

Barb

nancyl · Post by **nancyl** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 11:36 am

Has anyone tried making ice cream with almond milk? I do not like the taste of coconut. I don't drink milk anymore, but use Silk Original Almond milk in all of my cooking. It does make a great mug of hot chocolate in the morning too.
I make my own almond milk to use in cereal and mashed potatoes. When I used store bought almond milk in the mashed potatoes it turn them sort of grayish. Didn't change the taste, but with my own it doesn't do that.

How do you all make your ice cream?

Nancy

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 12:04 pm

Nancy,
I throw 2 cans of cold milk into the blender with about a cup of whatever fruit I use, or juice to taste, or about 2 tablespoons of good cocoa powder (though I like coconut/chocolate less than coconut fruit), 2 teaspoons good vanilla or vanilla paste if I can get it, 1/2 cup of agave syrup, 1/4 teasp. xanthan gum.
Blend well. Put in refrigerator for a couple of hours to get it really cold, and follow the instructions on your ice cream maker.
I use a cuisinart. It's cheap (got it refurbished) and very efficient.
It's not difficult.

I would like to be able to use a different base because I am getting a bit tired of coconut as a base, but I can's use any other milk. Sorbet is also nice, but that's for when it's hot for me.

nancyl · Post by **nancyl** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 7:36 pm

Leslie,

Thanks for the instructions.
Have you tried making ice cream with bananas?

Just freeze them, put in food processor with whatever flavor you want and mix until it reaches icr cream consistancy. If you google it you'll find several websites. That is if you can tolerate bananas.

Robin · Post by **Robin** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 8:17 pm

Hi Nancy.....I have made my ice cream with almond milk. When you make your almond milk just make it a little thicker and the ice cream comes out real creamer. If you use it the regular way it comes out more of an ice milk, maybe a little thicker then that. I have an attachment to my kitchen aid stand mixer. I keep the bowl always in the freezer so I can make ice cream any time. My family goes threw a lot of it! I buy bags of frozen fruit at either Whole Foods or Trader Joes. Lately my family as been enjoying peach ice cream. YUMMMMMMM!

Lesley Trader Joes coconut milk is in the baking isle and is only 99 cents a can! I like it, it doesn't have the amount of fat as Goya but it still thick enough to make delicious ice cream. Just make sure you shake the can before opening it does separate.

Robin

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 11:18 pm

Thanks Robin. That is really reasonable. I will get some next time I go. It's way cheaper than any of the others.
Eating only the best, and a lot of great meat is expensive, and has shot my grocery budget to hell. I need to find savings elsewhere to balance as much as I can, or I am going to go broke.

Nancy, I have made ice cream with bananas, but I am not that fond of it. It tends to give me heartburn. Thanks though.