I don’t know about you, but I was under the impression that coconut oil was one of those fats found in food that we all need to steer clear of for the sake of our heart health.  Not so fast… you’ll be pleasantly surprised to hear that the oil extracted from the meat of mature coconuts is actually not only heart healthy, but super delicious and very beneficial to many of our bodies’ systems.

Using coconut oil in specific recipes not only boosts the overall flavor of that dish, but has been proven to contribute to healthy hair, skin, the maintenance of cholesterol levels, a strong immune system, proper digestion…and the lists go on and on.  What is it about coconut oil that makes it have all of these magnificent properties?  Research shows that coconut oil contains lauric acid; an acid that has been proven to have antimicrobial, antioxidant, as well as antibacterial qualities.

Sounds tempting right?  If you are interested in jumping on the coconut oil bandwagon, I recommend you being your experimentation with a recipe from a recent issue of Bon Appetit magazine for ‘Coconut Quinoa’.  This recipe has a double dose of coconut yumminess—not only from the coconut oil, but also from rich, creamy unsweetened coconut milk.  A super delicious recipe to test the waters of this healthful cooking oil!

 (To view Bon Appetit’s ‘Coconut Quinoa’ recipe, click on the following link: http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/coconut-quinoa)

 

Tagged: Bon Appet magazine, coconut milk, coconut oil, health benefits, quinoa