One thing I like eating around this time of year, when everything is lush, is a mix of wild greens cooked in coconut milk with meat (lean meat or fish, if you are not on a high-fat diet).
The good thing about cooking wild greens in coconut milk is that you can even use more mature leaves. They soften but don’t turn into mush like spinach.
One thing I discovered tonight is the strawberry leaves are delicious in this dish, normally I just use them as tea.
Earlier tonight I collected a few greens from my garden and nearby woods. I like gathering a mix to get a variety of nutrients and antioxidants.
This time I collected three types because they were the most abundant: ground elder, wild strawberry leaves, and dandelion.
This will give me a wide range of nutrients like vitamins A and K and minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron, and also antioxidants plus loads of beneficial compounds that support health.
I paired them with coconut milk, ginger, onion, a bit of lemon to squeeze at the end, or a bit of vinegar is nice too! I prefer using fresh coconut because it gives a richer, nuttier flavour and more of the natural fat.
I am always thankful to have this Philippine grater, otherwise I would not have been able to easily use fresh coconut in my dish.
Coconut oil and the fats in coconut milk are mainly composed of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). These are digested differently from many other fats and are more quickly used for energy and it will help carry all fat-soluble nutrients from the greens, so your body absorbs them better. That's the reason I love coconut in my dish.
You simply scrape the coconut flesh, then extract the milk, strain it.
Then pour it over the meat. Then add salt, garlic, onion, vinegar or lemon and ginger if you like.
After that, I let it boil and add the greens.
I let it reduce down until the coconut milk separates and the fat becomes more visible. This makes the dish rich and makes the concentrated base that has the flavour of the greens, spices and meat/fish.
You get fats, greens, and protein all in one dish.
Once it has reduced, the smell is beautiful. It looks very bland and simple, but it is actually very rich and full of flavour.
Squeeze lemon and add some fresh chillies at the end for heat!
Have a lovely day,
Mariah 🌱
