Grilled coconut kale

-Sam Sifton, NYTimes, 7 Nov 2010

3 bunches kale

3 13.5-ounce cans coconut milk

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon ground cayenne

1 teaspoon mild paprika

¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice.

1. Wash the kale thoroughly and cut out the stalks. Cut the wide leaves into strips the width of the small leaves.

2. In a large pot set over a low flame, heat the coconut milk until it is thoroughly mixed and just lukewarm. Transfer to a large, nonreactive bowl and add the remaining ingredients. Stir in the kale, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

3. Preheat a grill or a cast-iron grill pan over high heat. Remove the kale from the refrigerator and stir to make sure the leaves are well covered in marinade. Using metal tongs, place the kale on the grill in a single layer. Cook for 45 to 60 seconds, or until the leaves are sizzling, then turn over and grill the other side for another 45 to 60 seconds, or until the leaves have visibly softened. Serve immediately. Serves 6. Adapted from Vij’s Restaurant, Vancouver, British Columbia.

Spicy Coconut Soup

-The Asian Vegan Kitchen via Etsy.com

1. Using a food processor, grind the spice paste ingredients together until smooth, using a little water if needed.
2. For the soup, heat the oil in a saucepan and sauté the ground spice paste for 2–3 minutes over medium heat, until fragrant. Stir in the lemongrass, lime leaves, galangal, and tofu.
3. Add the coconut milk, water, and salt. Bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for 6–8 minutes. Add the tomato to the simmering broth.
4. Arrange the garnishes on the table. Immerse the noodles in boiling water for a few seconds. Drain and divide between individual bowls. Pour a ladleful of the hot coconut broth into each bowl. Invite your guests to add their favorite garnish.

FOR THE SPICE PASTE

1 tablespoon coriander seeds
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
6 candlenuts or cashews
5 fresh red chilies

2 cloves garlic, crushed
¾ inch (2-cm) cube galangal, sliced
½ teaspoon turmeric
¼ teaspoon nutmeg

FOR THE SOUP

3 tablespoons peanut oil or vegetable oil
1 stalk lemongrass, halved and crushed
3 kaffir lime leaves
2 slices galangal
7 ounces (200g) atsuage deep-fried tofu, sliced
2 cups (480ml) coconut milk
1 cup (240ml) water
²⁄³ teaspoon salt
1 medium tomato, cut into 8 wedges
11 ounces (310g) wheat flour noodles or thin spaghetti, cooked

FOR THE GARNISHES

2 scallions, finely sliced
½ cucumber, sliced
Celery leaves

Bean sprouts
Lettuce leaves, shredded

Sambal (see below)
Krupuk deep-fried crackers

Coconut-Lime Thai Snowballs

-The Washington Post, December 12, 2007

* 16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
* • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
* • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
* • 1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lime zest
* • 1/4 teaspoon salt
* • 2 cups flour
* • 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (medium shred)

For the coating

* • 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (medium shred)
* • 1 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted
* • 1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lime zest
* • 2 tablespoons cornstarch, sifted

Directions:

Position oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.

For the dough: Combine the butter and sugar in the large bowl of a stand mixer (or use a hand-held electric mixer); beat on medium speed for about 4 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add the lime juice and beat to combine. Stop the motor and fold in the lime zest, salt, flour and coconut, mixing well.

Lightly flour your hands and roll the dough between your palms into 1-inch balls. Place the balls about 1 inch apart on the baking sheets (the cookies will spread slightly); bake for about 15 minutes or until the cookies are puffy but not browned; the bottoms will be just golden. Cool on the baking sheets for no more than 5 minutes.

For the coating: Meanwhile, combine the coconut, confectioners' sugar, lime zest and sifted cornstarch in a quart- or gallon-size resealable plastic food storage bag. While the cookies are still warm, add 3 to 4 to the bag at a time and toss to coat evenly. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

When ready to serve, sprinkle additional confectioners' sugar and lime zest atop each cookie, if desired.

coconut rum cake

Gourmet | September 2007

-Maggie Ruggiero

ingredients
For cake:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs plus 3 large yolks
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, melted and cooled
3/4 cup well-stirred sweetened cream of coconut such as Coco López

For coconut slivers:
1 medium coconut
2 teaspoons confectioners sugar

For icing:
3 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons well-stirred sweetened cream of coconut
1 tablespoon dark rum
3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 to 3 tablespoons heavy cream
1/2 cup confectioners sugar

Equipment: a 9-inch round cake pan (2 inches deep); an adjustable-blade slicer
preparation
Make cake:
Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Lightly butter cake pan and line bottom with a round of parchment paper. Lightly butter parchment, then flour pan.

Whisk together flour (1 1/4 cups), baking powder, and salt.

Whisk together whole eggs and yolks, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl. Gradually whisk in flour mixture until combined, then whisk in butter until just combined. Pour into cake pan and rap pan on counter to expel air bubbles.

Bake until golden brown and cake starts to pull away from side of pan, about 45 minutes. Cool in pan on a rack 10 minutes. (Leave oven on.) Invert cake onto rack (discard parchment) and cool 10 minutes more. Generously brush top and side of warm cake with cream of coconut, allowing it to soak in before brushing on more. Cool completely.

Make coconut slivers as cake cools:
Pierce softest eye of coconut with a small screwdriver, then drain and discard liquid. Bake coconut in a shallow baking pan 15 minutes. (Leave oven on.) Break shell with a hammer, then pry flesh from shell with screwdriver.

Thinly shave enough coconut with slicer to measure 2 cups and toss with confectioners sugar, then spread in 1 layer on a baking sheet. Bake until just dry but not golden (some tips may color), 5 to 10 minutes. (Shave and bake remaining coconut with more confectioners sugar to serve on the side, or freeze for another use.) Cool coconut completely. (It will crisp as it cools.)

Make icing:
Beat together cream cheese, cream of coconut, rum, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons cream with an electric mixer until smooth, then beat in confectioners sugar. Icing should be smooth and slightly runny; stir in remaining tablespoon cream if necessary.

Smooth icing over top of cooled cake, allowing some to drip over side, then top with coconut slivers.

Cooks' notes:
Cake can be baked 1 day ahead and soaked with cream of coconut, then kept in an airtight container at room temperature.
Cake can be iced 2 hours ahead.
Coconut slivers can be made 1 day ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature.