One of the most common complaints I hear from people when they first switch to the paleo diet is how much they miss dairy. Especially yogurt and cheese. Now I don't have a magic solution for the cheese but this thickened coconut milk has a texture that reminds me of yogurt, and can be used in all the same ways. Now I am not calling this actual yogurt since there are no probiotics involved. It is challenging to find dairy free yogurt starters here in Canada so making a dairy free coconut yogurt is still on my to do list… as soon as I can track down the appropriate yogurt starter! (If you happen to know of a source please let me know). And although you aren't getting the benefit of probiotics, this does contain grassfed gelatin which is full of health benefits! It is also a great protein source, so not only is this full of healthy fat from the coconut milk, you are also getting the added benefit of protein as well. I recommend using the Great Lakes brand which you can buy here or here.
Some of the known health benefits of gelatin include:
- It helps improve skin elasticity due to its impact on collagen
- Helps support bone and joint function due to its impact on cartilage
- Can help improve recovery from injuries
- Aids in digestion and helps support the gut lining which is important for treating leaky gut
- The glycine in gelatin can help fight inflammation and improve sleep
- Helps promote healthy nails, skin and hair growth due to its keratin content
- Is an easily digestible protein source that contains 18 amino acids (6 grams of protein per tablespoon to be exact)
These parfaits are super easy to put together and you can basically add whatever ingredients you want. The possibilities are endless! This is an easy dessert or addition to your brunch menu. I hope you like them!
Ingredients
1 can full fat coconut milk (I recommend this brand) 2 TBSP local honey or maple syrup 1 TBSP organic vanilla extract1-2 TBSP grassfed gelatin (I recommend this brand)Parfait ingredient options: Berries, other chopped fruits, shredded coconut, chopped nuts, cacao nibs
Directions
1. Place a small saucepan on low heat and add the coconut milk to the pot 2. Once the coconut milk is heated, add the honey and vanilla and stir well to combine3. Remove saucepan from heat and transfer your coconut milk mixture to a glass or ceramic bowl4. Place the bowl in the fridge and let sit for 1-2 hours, until the coconut milk is no longer hot5. Add the gelatin to the coconut milk and stir well to combine (the thicker you want this, the more gelatin you should add)6. Place the bowl back in the fridge and let sit for another 1-2 hours7. Remove from fridge and stir the coconut milk well. It should be thick at this point8. Grab your bowls, glasses or whatever you want to serve your parfaits in and layer the thickened coconut milk with berries, shredded coconut, chopped nuts, cacao nibs or whatever ingredients you like9. Serve and enjoy!This recipe yields 2-4 servings depending on how much you use for each parfait. If you are serving a larger group simply double or triple the recipe.
Print Recipe
There you have it everyone! I hope you are having a good weekend!
Please let me know if you have any questions or feedback. I always love hearing from you!