Is my Vitamix working?...the poor thing is old

[MaddMelon]

I had my first experience with a mature coconut yersterday. I wanted to make a base for my raw-curry out of the coconut meat. When I put it in the blender *with a suitable amount of water* I had it on the highest speed for quite a while, and all I got was a grainy/watery mess. I looked at Maraw's website for coconut cream sauce...did I need to throw in some soaked nuts with it in order for it to cream? Help!

Oh! And if you guys know any simple recipes that include coconut meat, please do tell.

[Sheryl]

Usually I blend the coconut with enough water to move well in the blender, then strain to remove fibre. You're probably almost there. Just put in a nut milk bag or piece of cheesecloth and squeeze! Depending on how much water you used you'll have a coconut milk or cream.

Cheers,
Sheryl

[MaddMelon]

I tried straining it through a juicer strainer, but it was so thick nothing happened. I'll definitely get a nut-milk/cheese cloth bag and try again. Thanks!

[Sheryl]

You'll find a nut milk bag MUCH easier. You really need to be able to squeeze to get the cream out. It also depends on the temperature. If it's too cold in your kitchen then the oils are solid, and it's almost impossible to do. I sometimes make coconut cream by running mature coconut once through my twin gear juicer to mince, then I juice it. I get between 1/2 - 1 cup of coconut cream (thick and rich) per coconut. However try the same thing in winter and you get nothing!!!

So if it's cold, you might want to blend a little longer in the Vitamix so it warms up a bit, then strain quickly. Also keep in mind that if it's cold at the dinner table the soup / curry can form a hard layer. Trust me I know... I once served my husband a bowl of SOLID SOUP!!!

Good luck next time - it's well worth the effort and very tasty too!
Sheryl

[moonstone523]

MaddMelon,

Did you scrape the coconut meat out of the old coconut before you did this? And when we make coconut milk in THailand, we take the shredded old coconut meat and pour hot water over it and squeeze thru a strainer. Repeat 2-3 times.

It is easy to make coconut milk by hand, then add to the vita mix.

[MaddMelon]

MaddMelon,

Did you scrape the coconut meat out of the old coconut before you did this? And when we make coconut milk in THailand, we take the shredded old coconut meat and pour hot water over it and squeeze thru a strainer. Repeat 2-3 times.

It is easy to make coconut milk by hand, then add to the vita mix.

Yes, I scraped the coconut meat out. The hot water would defeat the purpose of raw I would think? I was thinking maybe I was supposed to soak the coconut first before placing in the blender. So maybe if I soaked it for a while it would have the same effect as putting hot water on it?

[eachpeachpearplum]

VitaMix recondition and sell every part of their machines if needed. They have a very good help desk if you have queries too.

www.vitamix.com