Traditional Coconut Ice Food

LIMBER DE COCO (COCONUT ICE)

Steps:

• Mix coconut milk, evaporated milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon together in a bowl or blender until sugar dissolves and mixture is thoroughly combined.
• Pour mixture into ice trays or popsicle molds. Freeze 8 hours to overnight.

COCONUT ICE

Steps:

• Butter or use plastic wrap to line a 20x15cm (8x6-inch) tin. Carefully heat the condensed milk and icing (confectioners'/powdered) sugar in a pan over a low heat until the sugar has completely dissolved. Remove from the heat and stir in the desiccated coconut. Quickly pour half of the mixture into the tin and use a spatula to smooth and level. Set aside for 5 minutes. Add a few drops of food colouring and/or flavouring to the remaining mix in the pan and pour remaining mix over the first layer. Smooth and even again with spatula and set aside to cool for 3 hours. If you intend on planning to make bars or squares then wait until the coconut is half set and carefully score bars/squares with a knife. Leave to set for 3 hours or overnight and cut using the score marks as guides.

COCONUT ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Combine the milk and cream of coconut in the container of a food processor or blender, and mix thoroughly. Stir in cream and flaked coconut.
• Pour into the container of an ice cream maker, and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions.

COCONUT ICE SQUARES

Steps:

• Using a wooden spoon, mix together the condensed milk and icing sugar in a large bowl. It will get very stiff. Work the coconut into the mix until it's well combined - use your hands, if you like.
• Split the mix into two and knead a very small amount of food colouring into one half. Dust a board with icing sugar, then shape each half into a smooth rectangle and place one on top of the other. Roll with a rolling pin, re-shaping with your hands every couple of rolls, until you have a rectangle of two-tone coconut ice about 3cm thick.
• Transfer to a plate or board and leave uncovered for at least 3 hrs or ideally overnight to set. Cut into squares with a sharp knife and pack into bags or boxes. These will keep for up to a month at least, if stored in an airtight container.

COCONUT ICE

Steps:

• Line the base and sides of a 20cm/8in square baking tin with baking paper.
• Combine the condensed milk and icing sugar in a large mixing bowl and mix well. Add the desiccated coconut and mix again until thoroughly combined. Weigh the mixture and divide in half. Spoon one half into the prepared tin and spread level using either clean hands or the back of a spoon - you might find it easier to lightly dampen your hands first. Press into a smooth, even layer.
• Add a tiny amount of pink food colouring paste to the remaining mixture in the bowl and mix again until evenly coloured. Press this pink mixture over the white coconut ice in a smooth layer. Cover and leave to firm up overnight.
• The next day, turn the mixture out of the tin onto a chopping board and cut into 40 small squares to serve.

COCONUT ICE COOKED VERSION

Steps:

• Grease a pan (8x6inches) with oil or butter.
• Heat sugar and milk in large heavy saucepan over low heat. Stir with a wooden spoon until sugar has dissolved.
• Bring to a boil, cover, and boil for 3 minutes exactly.
• Uncover and place a prewarmed candy thermometer in the pan. Boil until it reaches 116C/240F, the soft ball stage.
• Remove from heat and stir in coconut.
• Quickly pour the mixture into the pan.
• Add food colouring, stir in quickly and pour into pan on top of the white layer.
• Cool until half-set, mark into squares or fingers with an oiled knife.
• Leave until completely set then break or cut into pieces.
• Wrap in waxed paper and store in an airtight container in a cool place for up to 7 days.

EASY COCONUT ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Whisk together the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Place the bowl over a pan with about 1cm of simmering water. Do not let the bowl touch the water. Whisk continuously for ten minutes, until the eggs have cooked through and you're left with a thick, custard-like mixture.
• Allow to cool (I place the bowl into a sink of cold water to speed this up), then place in the fridge.
• Meanwhile, whisk the double cream in a large bowl until it forms still peaks. Gently fold through the coconut milk, vanilla extract, coconut flakes and the cooled egg mixture.
• Pour into sealable plastic containers and freeze for 8 hours.
• Bring out of the freezer at least 15 minutes before serving to allow it to soften slightly.