What are the vegan recipes using coconut milk?

Can vegans eat coconut milk?

Yes. Coconut milk is made from coconut flesh and water, so it is plant based. Check cartons and flavored products for added ingredients, such as some vitamins or flavorings, if you avoid animal-derived items.

Easy vegan recipes with coconut milk

• Chickpea and vegetable curry: a recipe from Loving It Vegan takes 30 minutes (5 prep, 25 cook) and uses one 14 oz (400 ml) can of full-fat unsweetened coconut milk with chickpeas, canned chopped tomato, onion, garlic, curry powder, cumin, coriander, red bell pepper, zucchini and baby corn, served with basmati rice, cilantro and lime. Leftovers keep 3 to 4 days in the fridge, according to the recipe.
• Red lentil dal with coconut: simmer red lentils with spices and finish with coconut milk.
• Pumpkin or squash soup: blend roasted squash with stock and a splash of coconut milk.
• Thai-style curry: use a vegan curry paste (some pastes contain shrimp, so check) with tofu and vegetables.
• Coconut rice: cook rice with half coconut milk and half water.
• Desserts and drinks: chia pudding, smoothies, and whipped chilled coconut cream.

Basic method for a vegan curry

1. Soften onion and garlic in oil with curry powder.
2. Add vegetables, chickpeas or tofu, and tomatoes.
3. Pour in a can of coconut milk and simmer until the vegetables are tender.
4. Season with salt, lime and fresh herbs.

Choosing coconut milk

Use canned full-fat coconut milk for rich dishes; light coconut milk is diluted. Carton coconut milk is meant for drinking and is too thin for most recipes.

Tips

• Shake the can before opening.
• Simmer gently rather than boiling hard.
• Check pastes and stock cubes for hidden animal ingredients.

Amounts are guides, so taste and adjust as you cook. Only the chickpea curry details come from the cited recipe; the other ideas are general cooking suggestions.