Coconut is where it’s at! The flavor, the texture, the smell–they all add so much to just about any variety of food. But have you ever opened a coconut? Let alone tried to get all the juicy “meat” out of it? Let us be the first to tell you…it’s the most! We are always seeking out new things to do in the kitchen, and the furry, rock-hard fruit seemed like the next perfect conquest. Here’s a quickie lesson!
Step #1: Crack her open. Easy right? Well that’s what we thought too. After a little Google search, we were baffled at the various
methods prescribed to accomplish such a task. We should have known we were heading into dangerous territory when the supply lists on the web included a meat cleaver, hammer and nails (wait, hammer and nails!?!?), cork screw, ice pick, concrete step, brick, rooftop, etc. As daunting as all of this sounds, there was an easy method that worked wonders…well, kinda. Again, we acknowledge all the numerous possibilities in which one can open the coconut–by all means, please get out the hammer if you wanna get down–but this is what worked for
us.
A. Hold the coconut in the palm of your hand over a sink or large bowl. The bowl will catch the coconut juice when the coconut splits open.
B. Note the seams that runs between the “eyes”, the black indentations on top. Follow the seam to the equator, or center, of the coconut. Using the blunt edge (not the blade) of a heavy knife (a chef’s knife is what we used, but you can use a meat cleaver or machete if you just happen to have one lying around), tap firmly around its equator as you rotate the coconut in the palm of your hand. Tap like you mean it!
C. Continue to tap and rotate until the coconut splits completely open. If it’s done right, the coconut will break open after just a few turns into two equal halves.
So now it’s open. Yay! Celebrate by taking a sip of the delicious coconut water, but don’t get too excited because your work is just beginning.
Step #2: Extract the meat. *deep sigh* This was the least fun part for us. It’s easier, though, if you break the coconut into smaller pieces. And, baking the bits in the oven does help separating it from the shell. But it’s took us a minute to do (a looong minute).
A. Cover the coconut with a dish towel and break into small chunks using the blunt part of the same knife (or other instrument) used to crack it open.
B. Roast the pieces in a pre-heated oven at 350 for 15-20 minutes.
C. Once it’s cool enough to handle, using a spoon, dull knife or butter knife, cut through the meat all the way to the shell. Prying a bit will pop strips and chunks out. (Sometimes it’s possible to get underneath the meat with a spoon and pry away from the shell progressively.)
*phew* Good luck. All of this appears just dandy on paper, but in reality it’s not a quick process. It’ll probably take a while to do, so if you’re in a hurry be forewarned. And of course some words of caution: Please don’t hurt yourself in the process of opening the coconut or separating it from the shell. You want to use enough force that makes a dent in the nut, but not enough where you loose control of your instrument and it causes you to harm yourself, or someone else. And make sure you drain all the water before you roast it. And please don’t bite into when it’s still on the shell–not so good on your teeth!
Once it’s all said and and done, you can take the coconut pieces and puree them in a food processor. Strain it and you have homemade coconut milk! Or you can grate them and add it to whatever it is you did all that work for–like, Coconut Pancakes with Cinnamon Pineapple Syrup and Rum Ricotta Cheese Whipped Cream and Caramelized Plantains. Mmmmm. Yeah, that hard work was worth it for that! Next time, though, we’ll buy the coconut water, milk, and bits all ready to go–and leave the meat cleaver in the drawer.
Coconut Pancakes – Yields 8-12 pancakes
1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, separated
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus extra for cooking
3/4 cup coconut milk or juice from a fresh coconut
1/2 cup milk
Juice of 1/2 a lime
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon rum
1/4 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup fresh coconut, grated1. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt and set aside. In a separate bowl, combine the egg yolks, melted butter, milk, lime, rum and vanilla.
2. Combine the liquid and dry ingredients with a wooden spoon. Mix together only until flour is just incorporated.
3. In a small bowl, beat egg whites and apple cider vinegar with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Fold the egg whites into the batter just until incorporated. Let set for 15 minutes and gently fold in the coconut. Be careful not to over beat the batter, otherwise the pancakes will be firm and tough.
4. Brush nonstick pan or cast iron griddle with a small amount of butter or cooking oil and heat over medium heat (325 degrees if using an electric griddle). (We like to use a paper towel to spread the butter over the whole pan or griddle.)
5. Pour 1/4 cup of the batter onto the griddle and cook until bubbles appear on the top surface and the bottom is golden brown, about 1 -1 1/2 minutes. Flip over and cook until the bottom is lightly golden brown, about 45 seconds. Keep them warm in a low oven.
Cinnamon Pineapple Syrup – Approx. 2 cups
1 stick cinnamon
Zest and juice of 1/2 lime
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/3 cup crushed pineapple
1 cup maple syrup
1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon light rum
1. Bring all ingredients to a simmer over low heat.
2. Cook about 10 minutes.
3. Remove from the heat, strain, and serve warm or at room temperature. (Can be made overnight.)
Caramelized Plantains – Serves 4
2 ripe plantains
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 tablespoons light brown sugar
Pinch of salt
1. Cut ends off plantain and peel and slice in half lengthwise.
2. Melt butter over medium heat, add plantains and cook for 10 minutes (you don’t want to move them too frequently otherwise it won’t caramelize as well, flipping halfway).
3. Once you flip the plantains, sprinkle with light brown sugar (depending on the ripeness/sweetness of the plantains, adjust the sugar amount) and salt. The plantains should be nice and golden.
Rum Ricotta Cheese Whipped Cream – Approx. 1 1/2 cups
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar (or to taste)
1 tablespoon rum
1/4 cup ricotta cheese
1. Use an electric mixer or whisk to beat whipping cream until it begins to thicken.
2. Add sugar and rum. Continue to whisk until desired consistency.
3. Fold whipped cream into ricotta cheese.
Dollop pancakes with ricotta whipped cream and smother with desired amount of pineapple syrup. Sprinkle with grated coconut and walnuts if you like! Serve caramelized plantains alongside pancakes.
Click HERE for printable recipes.
June 15th, 2009 
duodishes 
Posted in 
Oh this is a keeper. You reached perfection with fresh coconut, pineapple and plantains. Have a quick question: why did you use plantains over regular bananas?
the easiest way is to take a cork screw and pop into two of the eyes – drain the liquid out – put the coconut in a 350 oven – listen carefully you will hear it crack once it does the meat slides right out and the coconut is open – at least it always worked that way for me
My mom bought a coconut once when I was much younger… and all I remember is how difficult it was to crack that thing open! And yes, extracting the meat from it was tough too. I can’t really remember tasting it, but I know we did try the meat and drank some of the milk. It was definitely an experience… I know what you went through!
OMG! Girl I will have to make these for Hubby on the weekend, because like I said before he loves everything coconut. The sweet plantains are a perfect addition. So bookmarked!
fresh coconut…yum! thanks for tip on opening the nut (also to doggybloggy!). when i was a kid, my dad was in the Army so things like machetes just happened to be lying around. we had no problems getting our coconuts open! but yes, scraping the meat out is a chore. but well worth it!
I must admit I have always been daunted by opening a fresh coconut and reading your post didn’t help matter, LOL!
But seriously, this is something I have wanted to try! Your recipe looks great too!
You had me at rum ricotta.
Those pancakes look awesome, but I’m with you on fresh coconut. Pain in the neck. So tasty though.
Oh my. Coconut pancakes sound AMAZING! Great recipe, I can’t wait to try it.
You really did a good job on that coconut, it’s open AND looks perfect for the picture!
I definitely need to try your Rum Ricotta Cheese Whipped Cream asap, it sounds soooo good!…
I’m salivating over those carmelized plaintains! That’s a brunch that would certainly transport anyone to paradise! Yum!
There’s nothing like fresh coconut. Yum!! I would love to have some of that for my breakfast this morning rather than a measly piece of toast.
99% of the food I ate as a kid(back in India) had coconut,so you can imagine the number of coconuts my mom and gran used/day!! I think they used a sickle and sliced it in one neat chop-the kids would be the beneficiaries of the coconut water
Then,there was a special equipment to scrape the kernel off the shell-I love eating freshly scraped coconut.
Those pancakes look delsih-reminds me of the dosas (with coconut and coconut chutney) that my mom makes!
thanks so much for the tips!! I saw this recipe the other day and want to try it… but the opening a coconut part scares me lol!
http://www.veggie-wedgie.com/?p=818
These are just over the top!! So delicious!
Sounds like a pain to open it but I love it =)
OMG, caramelized plantains! I could swear you made this breakfast just for me.
My gosh, this is truly truly delicious pancake. I love that fried plantain. Look so delicious!
Looks like a great recipe. I never used plantains in recipes yet.
Oh yes cracking tehm open is not an easy thing! We honeymooned in Fiji where they eat coconut with everything and I mean everything so they showed us how to open one up.
Delish – those pancakes look so tasty!
That’s serious commitment for a recipe – I like your idea about buying it done the next go around. Fun to try though – I bet!
Oh wow, those are some amazing looking pancakes and I love the caramalized plantains, I’ve only cooked with plantains a few times and will have to try this.
Coconut is one of my favorite foods! I loved reading the ways to crack them open you found on-line, too fun. I remember using a cork screw when I was little, poking a few holes and letting the coconut milk dribble into a glass, it was such a special treat!
I would make these for breakfast tomorrow but I am out of coconut milk, used the last of it for dinner, must add it to the shopping list, along with a fresh coconut
You know, I don’t even like pancakes and these look so good!
This all looks very delicious, but fresh coconut is a LOT of work….
I love fresh coconut, but I don’t get to eat it very often. The pancakes look great!
holy cow, what a tropical delight for breakfast! i love pancakes and coconut, so great idea to put the two together!
Wow, coconut pancakes sound absolutely delicious especially with rum there and the pineapple syrup and fried plantains are awesome!
haha..good job! That’s exactly how we open coconuts back home in Guyana except we use a huge machete!! The canned stuff doesn’t compare to the rich flavor of fresh coconut milk and I can only imagine how good those pancakes tastes..yum. I know I would love it! coconut, pineapple and rum…yummy!
Fresh coconut is the best, and your pancakes sound great! I love the colors and textures of coconuts. They’re just fun to work with.
I’m Thai, so needless to say, I’m genetically predisposed to coconut addiction. This looks like a great combo of the best of what the tropical climate gives you, although, just by looking at the ingredients, I know I would be perfectly happy just eating the coconut pancakes plain.
Oh yes! You two are amazing. I love fresh coconut juice, especially eating the delicious meat inside. If fact, I just had one of these at the farmers market last Sunday. Those coconut pancakes are to die for. Really. I love fried plantains!
I feel like a trip to the Caribbean is in order, and I’ll be breaking out the rhum.
How original!! I love coconut.. but never had it this way!
I *heart* coconuts. This looks delicious.
Y’all are so much better than me. Now you KNOW I would have been ALL over a BAG of coconut. Those pancakes and plantains look divine, however.
Thank God you posted this! I have to make a coconut dessert and it is my first time using a real coconut! Your tips are awesome!
Coconut pancakes!! SUCH a good idea!!! And that syrup sounds amazing
This sounds like the perfect summer breakfast!
This post brought back some funny moments struggling with a coconut I tried to crack open for first time in my life last winter haha. Like you guys, I searched the web and came up with using the eyes to crack open method but oh was it messy! Few days ago I watched this documentary that was about coconut candies made in Vietnam, and I was amazed how easy Vietnamese folks opened, carved coconuts like that :-0 Practice makes perfect! I’m glad you made it safely
I haven’t opened a whole coconut since my daughter was little – every week when we went to the grocery store we’d buy something new to try – and we had the hardest time opening it!
Wish I would have had your instructions!
I remember when my sister and I were little we occasionally had coconut. My grandmother would crack it open…I think it was with a meat clever, and then she would peel and extract the meat for us. We would wait unpatiently for chunks of coconut.
This looks amazing – especially those carmalized plantains.
I love how you two go all out all the time. No messing around. That’s how I like to eat. With all the fixins!
My mouth is just watering….That plate of pancakes and syrup looks so good. I wish someone would have that ready for me when I wake up!
I haven’t tried coconut flavored pancakes but I bet it tastes great!
Oh… I have to come out of the woodwork for this one. Cause it almost made me cry. I spent most of my youthful summers in the Caribbean. My Dad was/is a pediatrician who knew his obligations to the world. We spent summers in the Caribbean doing free clinics. Imagine a 12 yo Sup! handing out lollipops to terrified children! GREG
WOWEE! This set is fit for a king! LOVE the use of fresh coconut in pancakes, and with a side of plantains…ahh….carb galore! I’m SO glad we’re over that low-carb foolishness!
Such a treat! I cannot see a nicer breakfast…coconut pancakes, plantains, pineapple syrup, rum ricotta cream…yummie, yummie and yummie! Great pictures!
Wow. You guys write so well with so much energy. I loved the explanation on how to crack open a coconut.
NICE!!! i love coconut anything and you know i how i feel about plantains! nice job girlfriend. oh yeah and opening coconuts is not an easy or fun thing to do. yay u!
wow!! what an awesome idea
I wonder if the castaways on Gilligan’s Island ever got sick of coconuts or coconut pancakes? These make a good argument for being stranded on a tropical island.
Those pancakes look like a fitting reward for all that hard work cracking open the coconut. Good for you guys for going to all that effort.
I love the combo of the sweet and savory! This meal sounds like a keeper! The caramelized plantain is the crowning touch. Nice work!
Thank you for all your hard work……but it sounds fantastic!
From the ‘What not to do’ I am wondering if someone over there tried it all
I have to say that this pancake idea is going to send me wheeling into the kitchen for some!