Coconut Water Is Key For Poached Fruit With A Tropical Twist

Fruit is a very versatile ingredient to use in all kinds of meals and desserts, such as pies and shortcakes. However, there are also lots of ways to prepare fruit on its own. Beyond recipes for fruit salad drizzled with honey and lime, one great way to feature fruit is by poaching it. This involves cooking the pieces in a liquid of your choosing, simmering it at a low temperature to make it tender and infuse it with flavor. While there are many different kinds of liquids you can use, one will give your fruit a delicious tropical flavor: coconut water.

Unlike poaching eggs or chicken, you need more than just a plain liquid to poach fruit. Typically, sugar, simple syrup, or some other kind of sweetener is added. When poaching with coconut water, honey is a good choice, as it has a slightly more earthy flavor that won't overpower the coconut's taste like pure sugar. Then, you can add in complementary spices, such as vanilla, cinnamon, and even star anise for depth and visual appeal.

Poaching is a creative way to use coconut water, and it works well with a variety of fruits. Pears are one of the most commonly poached fruits, but you can use peaches, apricots, oranges, or even pineapple. Regardless of which fruits and additions you combine, coconut water is sure to lend a tropical twist that will really put you in the summer mood.

While fruit poached in coconut water is delicious on its own, it can also be incorporated into all sorts of dishes. For instance, you can serve it for breakfast with Greek yogurt and granola. It will naturally flavor and sweeten the yogurt without adding anything else. The poached fruit also works great in desserts and in baked goods, as it has a more tender texture that easily mixes into cake batter and nicely contrasts flaky pastry. Certain poached fruits like pears can also be great in a savory salad of funky cheese and leafy greens, and almost any variety will work in a fruit salad. Of course, with the infusion of coconut water, all of these recipe options will gain a tropical edge.

Whatever you do, don't throw out leftover coconut water after poaching the fruit, as even this can be used. Coconut water is a multifaceted ingredient, and it only gets better with added spices and extras. For example, you can pour it over the poached fruit for extra flavor, if you're eating pieces on their own. Otherwise, pour it into a cocktail — an extra hit of spiced coconut water would be great to revamp a cool and refreshing piña colada. Leftover poaching liquid can even be used as the base for a sauce to top tarts and custards. The possibilities are endless as any dish can benefit from a touch of coconut water, so long as it won't mess with its texture and structural integrity.