coconut oil

[Red Pajama]

I just ordered some gold label coconut oil from Tropical Traditions. Can I please hear some baking/cooking tips, as well as what you love (or hate) about using coconut oil?

Thanks

[daisymommy]

Post this in the Traditional Foods section, and you'll get a ton of replys

[SollysMom]

I mostly just use it in smoothies. It can be used in place of butter for baking, but it's a pretty expensive replacement. I can tell you what NOT to do... don't try to use it to make a salad dressing, assuming that because it's liquid at room temp (if you don't have A/C), it will continue to be liquid when you mix it with juice or other cold ingredients. Yeah, tried that yesterday and it didn't work out so well.

[tankgirl73]

Lately I've been using it in my baking where a recipe calls for vegetable oil. I substitute about 1/2 coconut oil and leave the rest as regular canola oil. Yeah it's pricey, but only using half, it adds some benefit to the recipe without breaking the bank.

[Drummer's Wife]

I really only use it for baking - like muffins - b/c it's expensive. I microwave it briefly to get is liquid-y.

[staceychev]

I find I do better in terms of energy and staying away from sugar/empty carbs if I have enough healthy fat in my diet. Especially if I look at my next meal and think "eh, not enough fat," I'll have a spoonful of CO before I eat.

We use it for cooking eggs, sauteing, stir fry, rubbing on meats before grilling, pretty much any "cooking with heat" application. I also occasionally rub it on the baby after a bath.