coconut cream vs. cream of cocunut

[Ephratahe]

I tried a recipe this week-end that required cocunut milk or cocunut cream. Well, I purchased the Goya 'cream of coconut', the one in the can, and when I was finished cooking, my food was extremely sweet (not the taste it should have been). I only recently started using cocunut milk in my cooking, and must admit that I don't know if there really is a difference between cocunut cream and cream of cocunut, but I get the feeling that my recipe should not have turned out as sweet as it did. Does it matter what I use - cocunut milk, coconut cream, or cream of coconut - when I cook? Thanks.

P.S. Grandma, Simmy, thank you guys so much for your help in a previous post! I really appreciated it!

[Tuff Gong]

Re: coconut cream vs. cream of cocunut

Don`t you Goya nothing unless it is Peas and Beans.

I think Simmy and G2 prefers Coconut Cream....Grace Brand.

I prefer Chef Brand Coconut Milk.
I once expressed a preference for Thai, but that was their organic milk, their regualr brand has too much additives.
If you can find organic coconut milk, with no additives and no preservatives then use that....Peace

[Ephratahe]

Re: coconut cream vs. cream of cocunut

Thanks so much Tuff Gong! I'm not sure if they have those brands up here, but I'll look. I kinda thought it might have had something to do with the brand, Goya, but I shrugged it off. Oh well, I guess you have to make a few mistakes to perfect the art of cooking [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] .

Thanks again! I think my second attempt will be better.

[Tuff Gong]

Re: coconut cream vs. cream of cocunut

Originally posted by ephratahe:
[qb]Thanks again! I think my second attempt will be better.[/qb]

You are welcome...just make sure when you buy coconut milk of coconut cream to cook with it does not have added sugar.

Coconut milk or cream itself does taste a little sweetish, but you will only notice that if you use a lot...a little goes a long way...Peace

[High Octane]

Re: coconut cream vs. cream of cocunut

Brown Betty makes pure creamed coconut-i like it better than the Grace

[Tuff Gong]

Re: coconut cream vs. cream of cocunut

Originally posted by H.O:
[qb]Brown Betty makes pure creamed coconut-i like it better than the Grace[/qb]

Thanks I never heard that name bran...Peace

[High Octane]

Re: coconut cream vs. cream of cocunut

they make sweetmilk too---you know it Tuffgong-Betty?

[Pepper]

Re: coconut cream vs. cream of cocunut

Isn't coconut cream used to make sweet drinks (pina coladas, etc) and cream of coconut used for cooking rice and peas, etc.

[Ephratahe]

Re: coconut cream vs. cream of cocunut

H.O. I remember Betty [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] . Unfortunately, they don't have that brand by me.

Pepper: I think you're right. What I used was probably meant for making drinks such as pina colada, etc. I also think I used a lot more than was desired, and as Tuff Gong pointed out, a little (although it was the wrong thing) does go a long way.

The sad part is that the food is so overly sweet that I don't feel like eating it, but I'll feel really guilty should I throw it out. I guess I'll have to ignore my tastebuds and eat it anyway. I'm applying myself to do better next time though....I'll master this recipe yet [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] .

[Tuff Gong]

Re: coconut cream vs. cream of cocunut

Originally posted by Pepper:
[qb]Isn't coconut cream used to make sweet drinks (pina coladas, etc) and cream of coconut used for cooking rice and peas, etc.[/qb]

Ummn..maybe your are right...I used srtictly coconut milk, one time I used the Grace Coconut Cream or Cream of Coco-whatever, when I first came to America, I did not like it then.

Simmy says it is the best....Peace

[Simmy]

Re: coconut cream vs. cream of cocunut

It's Grace creamed coconut. Comes in a red box, there's another brand that might be available to you, "Finest Brand" Pure Creamed Coconut, comes in a yellow box. These I just grate the amount I need and store the rest in the fridge. If you buy the coconut in the tin, make sure it's coconut milk, and only use about a 1/2 can, creamed coconut in the tin is too sweet as you said and is for mixing drinks. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] Less is better as Tuff Gong says.

[Pepper]

Re: coconut cream vs. cream of cocunut

Originally posted by ephratahe:
[qb]H.O. I remember Betty [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] . Unfortunately, they don't have that brand by me.
[/qb]

Are you in NYC? The Korean Vegetable markets sell Betty products.

[Hush Darlin]

Re: coconut cream vs. cream of cocunut

I have not tried the Brown Betty coconut milk but I have tried the condensed milk and it seem svery good. Not too thick and not too runny just right.

[Ephratahe]

Re: coconut cream vs. cream of cocunut

Thanks Simmy! I'll look around to find both Grace and Chef Brands. They only carry two brands in the supermarket here - Goya and Vitarroz. There is a Jamaican store around here, but the last time I went they didn't have coconut milk. I'll check again. Maybe they were out of stock for that day.

Hey Pepper: Unfortunately, I live upstate. I used to go to the city quite frequently, toting my suitcases and my bags just so I could purchase food and bring it back here...I learned my lesson real fast when my body wouldn't stop aching for days from running back and forth so much [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] . When next I return to the city I'll definitely pop into one of the Korean Markets and see what they have. You're right though, they do carry a lot of Caribbean products - even banana chips! Thanks again guys!