Creamy curry/korma

[tiggerblue10]

I usually make my homemade curries with low fat creme fraiche (sp) but my friend at work said she uses greek yogurt. So today I got some greek yogurt to try it as a lower fat alternative and it kind of curdled and didn't taste as nice as when I make it with creme fraiche (sp).

What am I doing wrong?

[pastafreak]

Hi tigs...I usually use Greek yogurt.....but the full fat. I mix it with a bit of corn flour-beat it really well-then add to the curry. I got this from Madhur Jaffrey's books....it seems to work. x

[tiggerblue10]

Hi Pasta, thanks for that. I'll try it with the full fat yogurt. I usually simmer it for a further 20 mins to ensure the chicken cooks properly and creme fraiche works great when cooking. x

[figure]

Hello Tiggerblue - Maybe one day try replacing the cr�me fraiche with coconut milk or coconut cream. It gives curries a delicious, and different flavour. And it's healthy!

You could make your own coconut milk/cream by extracting the milk from the dried coconut, or it's available in some groceries, or you can buy it from the Asian and Caribbean shops. Buying it is less work though, and it's not expensive. ;-) I love its unique flavour so much, I use it often in my cooking.

[tiggerblue10]

I did try coconut milk when I first started making curries but I though they were just as high in fat as double cream. I think I need to go and re-read the labels me thinks. Lol

I think Amoy does a low fat coconut mild as well. I'll give that a try.

Thanks Figure xxx

[figure]

A doctor recommended that my Uncle who has diabetes and high cholesterol use only coconut oil and milk/cream for cooking. After two month his cholesterol and blood sugar dropped considerably.

[funnygirl]

I have heard that coconut oil can help you lose weight.

But I don't know the details.

[tiggerblue10]

Really? I always thought that coconut milk/cream etc was quite high in fat. I suppose its the poly or mono fats in it that keeps the bad cholesterol down.

[tiggerblue10]

I think a Google check is in order.

Thanks Figure and Funny. xxx

[ELVIS68]

Try cooking some ginger,red peppers and garlic in olive oil, then add some coconut cream, cook for 5 mins then add some some prawns, cook for another 2 mins then serve with rice

It might not be good for cholesterol, but it`s bloody tasty

[tiggerblue10]

Sounds nice Elvis. I'll give it a go. xxx

I'm off to bed now. Goodnight all xxx

[figure]

Tiggs - if you feel ambitious and would like to extract the milk from the dried coconut yourself, let me know and I'll post how I do it. xxx

[tiggerblue10]

Ooooooo yes please Figure. I do like to experiment with food :-) x

[figure]

Coconut Milk

Wrap the dry coconut in a brown bag or in an old tea cloth or towel and and knock with a hammer or something solid a couple times until it's broken open. ( Knock it outside not on the cupboard or table otherwise you'll ruin either.)

Remove the white meat from the brown shells. (I use a knife, not a sharp one. Accidents could happen. A butter knife works well).

Taste a small piece of the meat. If it tastes bad, don't bother making the milk. The meat should be white and smell pleasant.

Cut the coconut meat in chunks, about one inch size cubes. If it's too large it will jam the blender blade.

Place half the coconut meat in the blender with about 1 � cups warm water. (Vary the amount of water to produce thicker or thinner milk). Process for a minute or until the coconut is finely grated. I like the milk fairly thick.

Strain milk using cheese cloth or strainer. Don't forget to squeeze the husk dry so you get all the milk.

Left over milk can be frozen and use whenever needed. No need to thaw, just add it in the pot while whatever is still cooking. I usually do a couple coconuts at a time and freeze the milk in ice trays. Then when it's frozen transfer to a zip lock.

http://tinyurl.com/6g2tt6 See how the coconut look in the picture ... you could break it into smaller pieces so it will be easier to separate the meat from the hard shell.

If you don't understand or have questions please ask. xx

[tiggerblue10]

Thank you very much Figure. I have cut and pasted into Word, saved it and printed it to go with my recipe folder.

I haven't bought a coconut in ages. The last time I did I poked a skewer through one of the eyes and tried to drink the milk. I think it was off as it tasted sour and that sort of put me off but I will try again.

xxxxxx