Raw Vegan Coconut Cream Two Ways

I went to see my all-time-favourite musical last night and bawled like a baby. The new restaged version of Les Miserables is touring in celebration of the show's 25th anniversary. I have seen a production of this show on almost every continent, and have, on more than one occasion, been the last nostalgic fan blubbering in the stalls!  Polite ushers from theatres far and wide have had to politely ask me to vacate the theatre as I stared longingly into the curtain praying for an encore. 

Last night's performance was not the best production I have seen. The show was too big for the theatre and I am not a fan of that modern clipped singing style that this production's musical director seemed to be championing. At one point, I thought Epinone was going to bust out into a Brittany Spears version of The Star Spangled Banner! But maybe I am just too much of a purist. Having said that, I thoroughly enjoyed myself -- there were some beautiful moments in this production and I had more than a few lumps in my throat. There is just something about the incredible evocative music that brings people to their feet. I found myself marvelling at what a chorus of passionate human voices can do for the soul. I wept for the meadows of France, just as I have many times before; and despite my issues with this "American Idol Style" remount, I was in HEAVEN. Theatre is just my "cream on the top" in life. Something magical happens with that energetic exchange between performer and audience that cannot be replicated  by any other medium. I felt grateful, privileged and humbled to be in the audience last night. Wow, some people are talented!

This gratitude for all things "cream on the top" lead me to reflect on other things that make we weak at the knees and weep with delight. I, of course, in true piggy fashion, turned to my stomach for inspiration, and remembered the delectable raw vegan coconut cream that has transported me to piggy heaven and almost lulled me into a pleasure-induced coma on more than one delectable culinary occasion. I noticed that a raw vegan coconut cream recipe was appallingly absent from this recipe blog. and so I rectify that immediately, by offering up, not one, but two simple raw vegan coconut cream recipes. 

For those of you looking for wonderful raw cream recipes and not inclined to crack open young Thai coconuts indulge in my raw vanilla cashew cream or raw lemon cream. If you just need vegan cream recipes, the vegan tofu cream is spectacular. But today, we celebrate raw coconut. I was making raw coconut kefir and raw cultured coconut pudding last week, and after cracking open two dozen raw coconuts (yikes) I had some left over raw coconut meat! Instead of freezing the meat, I decided to use it to make some different coconut creams for a fruit fondue dessert! Yummy yummy in my piggy tummy.

For those of you who are wondering how to make coconut cream, it is easy. You just throw the raw coconut meat in your blender with some flavourings! Too easy! If you are looking for fabulous raw vegan blender recipes, this raw coconut cream is a winner! This recipe is gluten free, dairy free, egg free, nut free, soy free and piggilicious. Perfect for those of you looking for delectable allergy free recipes. Just a top tip if you don't want to crack open young Thai coconuts: most markets sell drinking coconuts and coconut water. I have found most vendors are only too happy to crack open some coconuts for you. Take some glass jars for the coconut water and carry home the meat. Wonderful!

These two raw coconut cream blends are some of my favourites because they are really really simple. I like serving them both together because one has got a really subtle flavour, and the other has a beautiful caramel flavour that still tastes like coconut.  I LOVE Coconut Secret coconut crystals! Note, if you are using other coconut sugar you will need less. Add to taste. This basic raw coconut cream recipe is a fantastic blank canvas for further flavourful inspiration. You can make raw chocolate cinnamon coconut cream, banana coconut cream, berry coconut cream, mint  carob coconut cream. The raw potential is endless! Serve this raw coconut cream with fruit skewers for a quick easy raw vegan dessert or serve on top of your favourite raw vegan pies and puddings. This raw coconut cream recipe also makes a fantastic raw vegan pie filling! Or you could just be a pig like me and eat it as a pudding with some shaved coconut! YUMMO! 

Either way, for a little cream on the top -- give this raw coconut cream a spin in your kitchen. "Do you hear the piggies sing?"