Most of my adolescent free time was spent within the kitchen making Thai meals with my mother. She was agency within the observe of utilizing up each final little bit of an ingredient. If there was any leftover coconut milk, it went within the fridge and we used it for random stuff (espresso, cereal, rice) till it was executed inside a day or two. It by no means went within the freezer as a result of it might grow to be a disgusting, curdled mess upon defrosting.
I’ve beforehand addressed what an individual ought to do with a leftover half-can of coconut milk earlier than it spoils, nevertheless it seems I’ve been occupied with the conundrum all mistaken. My total life, I believed freezing it was not an choice. However it’s. Sure, you possibly can (and it is best to) freeze your leftover coconut milk.
I wasn’t mistaken in considering it seems like hell when it’s defrosted—gritty and damaged, like cottage cheese gone mistaken—nevertheless it’s not truly ruined. What my mother and I didn’t know on the time is that thawed coconut milk will be completely rejuvenated with a bit of warmth. These clumps and clusters are merely ice crystals and coagulated fats, and warmth melts them each.
I got here throughout this vital fact from one in all my most trusted Thai meals sources, Scorching Thai Kitchen on Instagram. (In case you have been questioning, once I shared this revelation with my mother, she acted like she’d recognized about it this complete time. Dad and mom.)
Tips on how to freeze coconut milk
Any coconut milk that you just don’t plan on utilizing within the subsequent 5 days or so will be frozen. First, I wish to pour the contents of the can out right into a freezer-friendly bag or container. (I put the bag in a measuring cup so I haven’t got to carry it open.) In the event you go for a container, it is perhaps worthwhile to separate the milk into smaller portion sizes for simpler thawing.
Credit score: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann
In the event you’re utilizing a freezer-safe zip high bag, squeeze out as a lot air as potential and seal the highest. Lay it flat on a small steel baking sheet and put the entire thing within the freezer. Freezing it flat permits the milk to freeze quicker, and it will likely be simpler to interrupt into parts later. Flat objects additionally stack extra simply, so you possibly can your optimize freezer house.
Tips on how to thaw frozen coconut milk
If you’re prepared to make use of frozen coconut milk, take away it from the freezer and bend the icy plank to interrupt it up into chunks whereas it’s nonetheless within the bag. Pour as a lot of the frozen coconut milk as you need right into a pot or a microwave-safe measuring cup. Warmth the milk over low warmth, or on 15 to 30-second blasts within the microwave till it melts and it returns to its regular easy and silky consistency.
Alternatively, you possibly can simply drop the frozen chunks instantly into the meals you’re cooking. For instance, if I’m placing collectively a curry dish, I can add the frozen items of milk simply as I’d usually add liquid coconut milk. It’ll take an additional minute or two to heat up and incorporate, however then you possibly can proceed as typical.
I’ve used coconut milk after it’s been frozen for a number of weeks and detected no texture issues or decline within the style. In keeping with Medical Information Right now, most milks (each dairy and non-dairy) will be frozen for as much as three months. That needs to be loads of time to make one other batch of Thai curry spaghetti and meatballs.
