I've got a lovely coconut

[bunny2]

but what the blazes can I do with it? I only bought it as ds was curious and I wanted him to see what a coconut was.

ice cream?

Just eat it?

i would just eat it it's divine

really? ok, that sounds dead easy.

OK, first of all poke a hole in the end (there are some neat little indentations which you can stick a skewer in) and drain out the liquid inside - this is sort of refreshing. Then crack the coconut open. You will need to peel the brown skin off - potato peeler should do it. Then eat!

Otherwise you can grate it and put it in things like cakes/muffins, or you can squeeze the grated coconut to get coconut milk and put in curries (can't remember how to do this but if you search on web should find a guide).

Florenceuk, I had no idea about being able to stick a skewer in the little indentations! My dad used to bash 'em (on concrete in the back garden) until they broke and most of the 'water' spilled before anyone could get to it!

I was going to get the drill out, I'll try with a skewer first though. I'd love to put it in a curry - will google.

An electric drill is probably ideal!

Jamie Oliver did a really tasty salad with cherry toms and coconut to go with a green chicken curry yum yum..

You could do a curry if u have a blender.
will give u a recipee.

I'd love a recipe - I grated some coconumt up and chucked it into a curry last night but it didnt taste of anything. I ended up using a tin of coconut milk too. But I love curry and can never make it properly.

mmm, hungry now ... off to ring for a takeaway I think

The liquid in the coconut isn't the stuff for curries, it's all watery and wrong. It's yummy for drinking though!

For a curry, grate up a good mound of coconut and simmer it with about an equal amount of water for an hour or so, then strain liquid into a cup and squeeze the coconut to get the last drops. It'll be just like the store variety. For a richer coconut milk, you can puree some of the coconut and mix it into the liquid.

With the squeezed-out coconut, spread it out on a sheet and toast until golden in the oven. It's very good for sprinkling on desserts, or on top of your curry at serving time.

That toast idea sounds lovely - I'm off to buy another one! Thanks.