Book review: “Coconut Oil” by Jessica Oldfield
My husband was born in India and absolutely loves curry — so when I came across the book Coconut Oil by Jessica Oldfield, I couldn’t resist picking it up.
Over the years, I’ve been lucky to learn how to cook authentic Indian dishes from my incredible mother-in-law, who has lived with us on and off throughout our married life. She’s the one who taught me to use coconut in almost everything — curries, chutneys, even desserts. So naturally, this book caught my attention. I wanted to take my “coconut cooking” to the next level.
Who knew you could make yoghurt and aioli from coconut? Certainly not me!
As an Italian, olive oil has always been my go-to ingredient. I honestly couldn’t imagine cooking without it. But after reading Coconut Oil, I discovered how versatile coconut oil can be — and how delicious it is as a substitute. I even made a creamy mushroom risotto using coconut oil instead of olive oil, and my kids loved it!
My best friend and business partner, Sonya, from The Sonya and Sacha Show, makes the world’s best potato bake. It’s her signature dish — rich with cream and cheese. But this book introduced me to a lighter, coconut-inspired version using coconut cream instead of dairy. Let’s just say… it gave her famous bake some serious competition (sorry, Sonya!).
Now I’m using coconut oil for just about everything — frying bacon, roasting chicken, even making homemade coconut chips from fresh chunks of coconut. Delicious, healthy, and a fun twist on traditional favourites.
The book is beautifully designed with easy-to-follow recipes and stunning photography that’ll inspire you to get creative in the kitchen — from breakfast smoothies to indulgent desserts. Speaking of which, I discovered a coconut crème brûlée recipe that feels like redemption after my recent trip to Paris (and a few too many actual crème brûlées!).
Next time I host a dinner party, that’s the dessert I’ll be serving. I’m confident it’ll be a hit — and maybe even earn me a few “chef” bragging rights.
I can’t wait to show my mother-in-law all my new coconut creations when she’s back from India. I’m pretty sure I’ll score some serious daughter-in-law points this time.
Here’s to happy, healthy cooking — and to discovering the magic of coconut oil!
