Gone Coconuts

Last night we had a coconut inspired meal. It was sooo delish, so easy AND pretty healthy so I thought I would share the recipes.

Coconut shrimp is about as good as it gets for me, but it is usually soooo high in fat and calories. This one? Not so! Only 1 point per shrimp if you are thinking Weight Watchers.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup Fiber One Original Bran Cereal
1/3 cup shredded sweetened coconut (next time I think I will add a little extra)
3 tbsp. panko breadcrumbs
1/4 tsp. chili powder
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp. black pepper
Dash salt
12 oz. (20) raw shrimp, peeled, tails removed, deveined
3 tbsp. fat free liquid egg substitute

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Place cereal in seal-able plastic bag and crush. Add coconut, breadcrumbs, chili powder, garlic powder, pepper, and salt. Shake to mix. Transfer to large plate and set aside.
3. Spray large baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Pat shrimp with paper towel to ensure they are completely dry.
4. Combine shrimp with egg in a bowl and toss lightly to coat. One at a time, shake excess egg from shrimp and transfer to the coconut-crumb mixture and place evenly on baking sheet.
5. Bake until outsides are crispy and insides are cooked through, 10-12 minutes. Yum.

We ate it with key lime mango salsa, but I think next time I will make a sweeter sauce...perhaps orange marmalade based?

Coconut Rice
This was so easy, I just tossed everything in the rice cooker and called it good.

2 c. white or Jasmine rice
1 can coconut milk
2 c. water
1 tsp. Kosher salt
Splash of white vinegar (optional, but it helps with the texture)
2-3 tsp. white sugar
Handful of chopped green onions, plus chopped green onion tops for garnish (we’re using the whole animal here…)
Black pepper to taste


Combine rice, coconut milk, water, salt, vinegar, and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil Turn heat to low and cover for 20 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Allow to stand 5 minutes. Add green onions, black pepper (if desired), and additional salt if necessary.


We actually combined the shrimp and the rice together with some fresh limes and it was divine really. Super quick and easy! Give it a go!