Summary: Coconut is not only delicious but also an extremely nutritious ingredient to use in your every day cooking. In these recipes we show you how to use coconut water in your food instead of just drinking it straight up – which is a wonderful idea too by the way!

The benefits of Coconut Water

Coconut water is a real superstar. Here are just some of the benefits you can reap when drinking it regularly:

• Cholesterol, fat free, and 100% vegan
• No artificial coloring and it has natural flavoring
• Anti-fungal and rehydrates dry and dull skin
• Suitable replacement to water
• Supports weight loss and healthy eating habits
• Reduces hair loss, improves hair strength
• Naturally treats dandruff and hydrates dry scalp
• High in beneficial electrolytes, such as magnesium and potassium

I drink it on a daily basis. Further more, I actually start my day with it. I find it a much healthier option than jump starting my system with a caffeinated beverage. Upon waking up, I drink a big glass of coconut water. It gives me a good punch of energy, while it is much more gentle than an espresso. There are of course many other ways to consume coconut water, it is easy to include it in your daily drinking and eating habits. Here are some of my favorite options for using it:

Bircher Muesli with coconut water, coconut milk and flakes 

Preparation: 10 minutes, plus overnight to soak

Serves: 5

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 2 cups coconut water
• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• 1/2 cup chopped almonds
• 1/4 cup chia seeds
• 1/4 cup flaxseed
• 1/2 cup grated apples
• 1/4 cup raisins, dried cherries, black currants or any other dried fruit
• 1/4 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut

Toppings:

• Greek or some unsweetened yoghurt
• Almonds, chopped
• Mixed berries
• Banana, sliced
• Honey, maple syrup
• Mint leaves for decoration

Instructions: 

1. In a large bowl combine rolled oats, coconut water, coconut milk, chia seeds, chopped almonds, grated apples, flaxseed, dried fruit and shredded coconut.
2. Stir until well-combined and cover the bowl with a lid. Place the bowl in the fridge for overnight.
3. Next morning add some yoghurt and coconut water to the mixture, and divide it up for smaller portions.
4. Add sliced banana, mixed berries, almonds and drizzle with maple syrup, or your choice of sweetener.
5. Decorate it with mint leaves and some chopped fresh almonds
6. Enjoy!

Invigorating raspberry smoothie with coconut water

I am an absolute fan of Bobby Flay. He cooks like an angel and he is the King of Breakfast! I’ve regularly watch his shows and try his recipes. This  smoothie with coconut water gave me some inspiration to make something similar:

Preparation: 10 minutes

Serves: 2-3

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup coconut water
• 1 mango
• 2 frozen bananas (I buy them fresh and freeze them for smoothies) 
• 1/2 avocado
• 1 cup raspberries (alternatively you can also freeze these or any other fruit when in season, and use them within 3 months) 
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 cup mixed flaxseed and hempseed

Instructions:

1. So very simple! Add all your ingredients in to a blender and blitz it until smooth and well-combined. Nothing is worst than ending up having a big chunk of frozen banana in your smoothie.
2. Ultimately if you are using fresh fruit you can freeze the coconut water in an ice tray as Bobby Flay does it. He recommends to add around 12-14 ice cubes to the blender.
3. Blitz until smooth and well-combined.
4. Enjoy!

Rice cooked in coconut water

I like this recipe because the coconut water adds a bit natural sweetness and depth of flavor to the rice. Nothing Earth-shaking,  just something deliciously nutritious.