If the ingredients or the time is at a premium, use canned coconut milk but preparing your own will make your dishes sweeter and more authentic.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups unsweetened dried coconut
• 3 cups boiling water

Preparation:

1. Put coconut into electric blender.
2. Pour boiling water over coconut, and blend at medium speed for 30 seconds.
Place a fine strainer over a medium-sized bowl, pouring blender mixture into the strainer.
3. Squeeze out all milk with the back of a spoon from the retained coconut.
4. Chill. Use within three days.

Makes 3 cups.