Coconut Oil Virgin

No, you didn't read that wrong (and I didn't write it wrong). Until this morning I was a coconut oil virgin. Yes I used Virgin Coconut Oil (from Trader Joe's - can you tell where I shop?) but it was my first time. (Insert whatever jokes you need to. Go on, get it out of your system... Okay, better? Let's continue.)

L1 was up early and asked specifically for waffles. Since I had all the ingredients on hand, there was no reason to say no. I whipped out my handy How to Cook Everything cookbook by Mark Bittman. The recipe called for melted butter but for some reason, the unopened jar of coconut oil called to me. I melted the 2 TBSP needed, not too hot, just enough to melt it and be a similar consistency to butter. I whipped my egg, oil and milk in my Kitchen Aid - love that thing! I know, not green when I could do it by hand and save electricity but it is one of my indulgences - added my flour, baking powder and salt. The final strokes are always by hand, just to make sure that everything on the bottom got mixed in. Once the waffle maker all heated, we cooked them up.

While they cooked my entire kitchen smelled of sweet coconut and I was a little worried that the waffles would have an overpowering coconut flavor.

The verdict? They surprisingly did not taste like coconut. The had a hint of the flavor but unless you told me it was coconut, I would have guessed that it was just nutty from the whole wheat flour. Topped with our homemade maple syrup, it was delicious. And this is from someone who can usually take or leave waffles. My husband said that he thought they tasted a little more oily but I didn't notice it. You wonderful readers will have to let me know what you think. 

I will definitely start substituting coconut oil into some more recipes. With no cholesterol, I can use it in place of butter for my dad (heart problems) and not have to use the processed fake butter they use (no chemicals).

Waffles
makes 4-6 waffles
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 tsp salt
1.5 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup milk
1 large egg
2 TBSP coconut oil, melted but cooled
vanilla (optional) - I usually use it but forgot this morning.

So what do you use coconut oil for? Comment below.