NEED HELP WITH COCONUT MEAT & LEAKS

[SimplyRawesome]

I have never been exposed to a leek before! Imagine that! So, I am trying to make the chili posted in another thread and don't know what part of the leek I'm supposed to chop! Is it the shoots (leaf) or the white bulb part??? The recipes calls for 1/4 - 1/2 cup of leek? This think will not fit into a cup!!! LOL!!!

Next problem. I want to make the lemon chew cookies posted in another thread but I'm having difficult <understatement> getting the meat out of the coconut. WAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH! Is there a secret to getting this stuff out???

HELP!!!!

[SedonaSun]

For leeks, use the bottom, white part. I don't know if the leafy part is edible or not, but I cut mine off just where it started to turn green. I may have wasted some, but definitely the white part is edible :)

Also, I didn't bother to measure, but just tossed it all in (all of the bulb, part, that is).

[SimplyRawesome]

Thanks Sedona.

[Rawkinlocs]

Can't help you with the leek part, but with the coconut for the lemon chews (which are delicious btw), someone on here mentioned prying it all around with a fork until it came out. I'd just whack the shell into pieces and get a grater and grate some off (since the recipe calls for shredded). The only other way (so it seems) to get the meat out is to place in an oven. I did this once before (pre-raw days) and it didwork like a charm though.

[SimplyRawesome]

Hmmm... since the recipe calls for dried coconut, I guess I could do that. But than it wouldn't be raw, huh? What did you use in your recipe?

[Rawkinlocs]

Honey, I simply can't do all the highly "technical" aspects of raw! I do as much as I can and some things will just have to come in time or I just won't be considered 100% raw - I'll know that I don't COOK anything, but some things we use are just not gonna be raw. Kinda like Sharon of CO said about dehydrating things period...we do it because it helps us transition from cooked and allows us "comfort foods" but in our hearts, we know it's not truly in it's raw, natural form. No skirting around it. Sure it may preserve the enzymes moreso than cooking but...

So with that being said, I used the dried shredded coconut in a bag I got from my natural foods store in the refrigerated section. I don't know how raw it is, but I also don't know how raw the bottled spices and herbs I use are either...you get my drift.

Don't sweat it...not at this stage of the game! ;) Maybe later on down the line when your body is asking that you do less recipes and more pure, natural, whole foods; but for now...

[golfngardennut]

Once you get it open, the easiest way I know is to take a butter knife and slide it between the meat and shell, then twist the knife. The meat usually just pops out....

[Olive]

When you use the leek, make sure you rinse it well. Easiest way is to cut the bottom root off and the top green part. Then, cut it in half lengthwise. Separate all the parts into a salad spinner (or colander) and rinse and spin well. Otherwise, you might end up with a lot of grit in your recipe. I learned this the hard way a few years ago, lol!

[golfngardennut]

http://www.youngcoconuts.com/open.html

[SimplyRawesome]

I don't know how raw it is, but I also don't know how raw the bottled spices and herbs I use are either...you get my drift.

Don't sweat it...not at this stage of the game! ;) Maybe later on down the line when your body is asking that you do less recipes and more pure, natural, whole foods; but for now...I know. The pine nuts I buy are from Costco because I can get 4# for like $6 and I'm pretty certain they're NOT raw! :rolleyes: And at this point in the game, I'd even take roasted macadamia's just so I can try some of these recipes that require them. On occasion, I use salad dressings that are not raw as well. We do the best we can with what we have to work with, so yes, I do get your drift. ;)

At this point, I wish I had just purchased the shredded coconut at "Wally World" (Wal-mart). I have the coconut in the oven on warm, but it's not coming out any easier.

Thanks Cherie. I won't sweat it! :D

Olive, too late on the leek! It's in the chili now! Which, btw, is awesome. I'm fixing to make a second batch for hubby and I'm adding a habanero in it. Too hot for me!

Thanks golfngardennut. I think I've seen that site before, but I'll check it again to see if it shows how to remove the meat. If not, I'll try your suggestion.

[caramba]

Nutrimom - when I saw this thread I thought your coconuts were leaking...LOL!

Leeks - you can use the green part too (usually the very top part is dry and a bit unappetizing) but make sure you wash really carefully as dirt gets trapped between the 'layers'

Just read Olive's post - which says basically what I just did...oh well...:-)

[FEELIN'GOOD]

When I made the chili, I used the top leafy part of the leek- I didn't know better I guess- I did cut like an inch off the top because it was sorta soggy but the green part is great to me- it is like a flat green onion, but milder in taste. I chopped it up really good and then measured it for the recipe.... that chili is really good! I have been eating it a lot over a bed of lettuce- yummy, and quick! You really don't need to use the dehydrator for it either- it is basicly just to warm it- it tastes great right out of the processor...

:D

[SimplyRawesome]

Oops! I spelled that wrong, didn't I?!!! Shame on me! That's funny, Caramba. Actually, my coconut WAS leaking ... all over the counter!!! LOL!!!


Nutrimom - when I saw this thread I thought your coconuts were leaking...LOL!

[veggiemom2]

to clean the leeks, make a slice through the while up to the start of the green, then turn and do the same so that the white is now slice into quarters but is still hanging onto the green part. Place into a bowl of water and swish it around so that the grit falls to the bottom.

for the coconut meat, I poke a screw driver threw one of the eyes and drain the milk. I then put the coconut in a plastic shopping bag, tye the straps together and take it outside and bag it on the ground. cracks it perfectly in half.

I then use the flat head screw driver and score the coconut into chunks, and slice the screw driver between the shell and the meat under the scored area. This usually pops out the meat.

Good luck

[Ptrish In Tennessee]

goodness !! Nutrimom, you are sounding more and more like me with every post... or vice versa :eek: i decided to try the chili today... i've seen leeks, they've seen me :) but i have never, ever used one in anything... soooo.... to me they look like a larger version of scallions or green onions... so i used the best looking part of the green and chopped up some of the white.... hopefully i won't poison anyone.... what to make the lemon chews in the worst way.... so,i left the coconut opening to my son, he did good... got a cup and a half of the milk out, which we strained, and now i'm trying to find the thread where it was explained how to get the dark brown shell off the white hard meat... if nothing else i'll use a sharp knife... anyway can i use walnuts or almonds instead of cashews for the lemon chews???

[SimplyRawesome]

now i'm trying to find the thread where it was explained how to get the dark brown shell off the white hard meat... if nothing else i'll use a sharp knife...
GOOD LUCK!!! I would suggest a chain saw or hand grenade!! GRRRRRRR!!! LOL!