I’m quite a fan of coconut manna (also known as coconut spread or coconut cream concentrate, depending on who makes it). I discovered I could add it to soups, sauces, desserts, oatmeal… It is a great source of the kind of fats we need. (Just do a word search on “nutritional qualities of coconut” to get an idea. Or read my post on why coconut’s so great, here.)
Even though I like using coconut oil too, I particularly like coconut manna because it includes the fiber of the coconut, and is loaded with flavor. Plus, I love the idea of whole foods, and this is one of them!
If you can find it, the five pound coconut manna deal from Nutiva is the most bang for your buck. I’ve been getting lately though. It’s always in stock.
Getting the extra-firm coconut manna out of the jar (or foil bag) is a challenge. You can set the jar in a pot of hot water on the stove, with a rag under it so the glass doesn’t break. Once it’s melty-soft, spread onto heavy-duty aluminum foil, and chill it. Once firm, it will easily break into pieces, making it much easier to store and use. I store the broken chunks in zip-lock bags in the fridge. Easy to use this way!
