Always a Hero

I received the above video from my family circle, please watch the video till the end. This video kindled me to know more about the coconut oil. Yes, you heard write, Coconut oil..

Over the centuries, we have been using coconut oil in our daily life, like cooking, cosmetics and medicine. As the time goes by, like many things faded from our past, using of coconut oil is also receded considerably. Since coconut oil is portrayed as a devil and villain, a high saturated fatty acid, which cause heart attacks and raises the cholesterol level.

But now all the research are claiming that coconut oil is in fact not bad at all. Oh, this researches and modern science, what to say! One day they publish potato is not good, drinking coffee is not healthy, after few days other researcher publish potato is good and 4 cups of coffee a day prevents diabetes.You can keep adding anything and everything in the list.

Coconut oil contains saturated fat, which helps in taking off excess weight, increases the body metabolism. The lauric acid in the oil raise the High density Lipoprotiens (HDL), simply called as good cholesterol in the blood and lowers the Low Density Lipoprotiens (LDL), bad cholesterol.The saturated fats present in coconut oil have anti microbial properties and help in dealing with various bacteria, fungi, parasites, etc., that cause indigestion. Coconut oil acts as a catalyst to other vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

Coconut oil enhance the immune system to fight against the viruses and harmful bacterias. It will reduce the infection level and improve the healing process, because of its anti fungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties the oil is widely used in many skin related ointments and cosmetics.

For your reading pleasure, here is an article from The NewYork Times about the 'Goodness of Coconut oil'. Spread the word and help clear the blemish on the good name of coconut oil.

Sources : Wikipedia, Organic facts, Newyork Times,

Coconut Macaroons

Yesterday was my husband's birthday. I made couple of dishes and gave a sweet surprise to him.
Banana cake with Fondant Icing topping and Coconut Macaroons

I wanted to serve this lovely white macaroons with a nice cup of coffee on birthday morning. But I ended up doing that the day before his birthday.  You want to know why? It was a lovely cold white Saturday morning. It was snowing outside, first snow fall of the year. The white crisp snow very much reminded me the white fluffy flaky coconut macaroons.  How can anyone control the temptations ?

I found this lovely recipe in a magazine that I was reading at the library. I frequent the food and health related magazine section in the library and always have a  piece of paper handy in case I come across an interesting recipe. This one came that way. But this recipe is special to me. This had a nice story behind it.

A 10 year old girl, name Sabrina Shefer doing 5th Grade from Minooka, Illinois bakes these Coconut macaroons for a cause. She bakes these lovely macaroons and other cookies the earlier day and goes to farmer markets early morning along with her brother and sell them. And all the money they earn goes to the charity. How sweet...

What a fool am I,  forgot to note the magazine name and the charity organisation that she works for. But clearly taken the recipe of hers :(

Ingredients : 2 1/2 cup -- Unsweetened shredded coconut 1/3 cup -- All purpose flour 2/3 cup -- Condensed Milk 1 tsp -- Vanilla Extract 1/2 tsp -- Baking powder 1/8tsp -- Salt 1/2 cup -- Nuts (optional) Method : --- Preheat the oven to 350 F --- Mix the flour, salt, baking powder and condensed milk, Vanilla extract thoroughly without any lumps --- To the mixture add the shredded coconuts, nuts and mix well. Make sure all the coconut are well coated with the flour mix. --- The mixture will be more sticky. --- Just take a small heap of coconut mixture and place it on the greased cookie sheet. Don't make any balls out of it. --- If using ice cream scooper, it will be well and good. If you trust your hands, better grease a little with butter and do it, so that it will not stick to your fingers. --- Bake the macaroons at 350 F for about 15 to 20 minutes, until you see golden brown color on the edges. --- Don't bake it for too long, the coconut will start to burn at the bottom, check for the golden brown colour carefully.

My husband was so happy and truly surprised. Both enjoyed the chill morning with the coconut macaroons and hot coffee

UPDATE 20-Dec-10
Oops, I forgot to mention about adding vanilla extract earlier. Have corrected it now.
Thanks to 'Anonymus' for pointing it out.