Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Review and Giveaway

I had the wonderful opportunity to review Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil. I have witnessed the boom of coconut oil on the web but didn't know much about it. To start off this giveaway let me tell you a bit about it and Tropical Traditions as a company.

 

Win 1 quart of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil!

Tropical Traditions is America’s source for coconut oil. Their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is hand crafted in small batches by family producers, and it is the highest quality coconut oil they offer. You can read more about how virgin coconut oil is different from other coconut oils on their website: What is Virgin Coconut Oil? 

You can also watch the video they produced about Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil:

 

Tropical Traditions also carries other varieties of affordable high quality coconut oil. Visit their website to check on current sales, to learn about the many uses of coconut oil, and to read about all the advantages of buying coconut oil online. Since the FDA does not want us to discuss the health benefits of coconut oil on a page where it is being sold or given away, here is the best website to read about the health benefits of coconut oil.

My Review:

 I have to be honest and admit I was a little scared to use the coconut oil because I do not like coconut in general.  There are very few things where I can tolerate coconut, Girl Scout cookies being one of them (wink).  Even through my skepticism I wanted to try it and see what all the hype was about.  I was extremely impressed.  The coconut flavor was not what I expected.  It was mild and not sweet like I thought it would be and a great substitute to the oils I usually use in recipes.

The first thing I made was a Chinese dish and I will say that I replaced the full amount of oil with the coconut oil and although the rest of my family LOVED it, I thought it was heavy on the coconut.  That did not discourage me though.

I next found a recipe online for granola bars made with coconut oil and it was an "Oh, My God!" moment for me.  I couldn't help to think that was in love with this oil.  This time the amount of oil used was perfect and the flavor was mild and pleasing.  Since then I have made a number of different dishes with the coconut oil by replacing "typical" oils with the coconut oil (being careful not to overpower my coconut-sensitive palate).

Out of all the recipes I attempted with the Tropical Traditions Coconut oil my favorites were the granola bars and the Coconut Shrimp I made on a whim (I thought I had to at least attempt coconut shrimp with coconut oil).

Coconut Shrimp Recipe

Ingredients for shrimp-

1 lb. shrimp

1 cup shredded or flaked coconut  (more or less depending on taste preference)

1 c Coconut Flour

Panko bread crumbs

Salt

Pepper

Garlic powder

Onion powder

Chili powder

Cayenne pepper

2 eggs

Milk (about a cup)

Ingredients for Sauce:

Chili sauce

Sweet and sour sauce

Honey

Instructions:

1. Shell shrimp (keep tails if you wish.  I did not) and pat dry with paper towels. 
2. Sprinkle salt and pepper on shrimp and toss.  Set aside.
3. Prepare three plates are bowls with the following:

• The first will be flour with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and cayenne pepper.
• The second will be the eggs whisked together with about a cup of milk.
• The third will be Panko breadcrumbs mixed with the coconut (I did about half and half)

                   4.  Heat about ½ inch of coconut oil in a pan over medium heat

           5.    Dip the shrimp in the flour and shake any excess flour off. 

           6.    Then dip into the egg/milk mixture.

           7.    Coat with the panko/coconut mixture

           8.    Fry until golden brown and opaque all the way through.  Watch carefully because they  cook

                very quickly

           9.    Lay on paper towels to drain the excess oil when done.

          10.  Mix together chili sauce, sweet and sour sauce, and honey to taste.  Be careful because the

                chili sauce is very spicy.  If it gets too spicy add honey or sweet and sour.  

          11.  Enjoy.

I must apologize that I do not have exact measurements for everything in the recipe.  I tend to cook to taste and do not measure anything out most of the time.  

Other than cooking there are many other ways to use coconut oil found here.

Can't wait until to try it?  Go here to order now.  They have a variety of different products in addition to coconut oil too. 

*Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. 

**If you order by clicking on any of my links and have never ordered from Tropical Traditions in the past, you will receive a free book on Virgin Coconut Oil, and I will receive a discount coupon for referring you.