Coconut Milk Substitute...suggestions?

Hello all. I am moistly a lurker on these boards and am amazed at all the helpful information I find here on a daily basis.

I'm struggling to find a better, lower calorie version of my favorite Chicken Coconut Curry Soup. Doing an internet search has left me empty-handed, so I figured I'd give it a go on my own. The one ingredient that I cannot find is a lower calorie substitute for is the coconut milk. Does anyone have any suggestions, or have a great low calorie coconut milk soup recipe they'd like to share?

i acutally found reduced fat coconut milk in a can at the store the other day.. but i didn't get it.. maybe you can look for that.. it was in the ethnic food aisle.. with the thai foods.. can't remember the brand though.. take a look!  ;) 

Thanks obsidyan, I'll definitely have to check around. They didn't have any at the 2 grocers near me, but I might be able to get it somewhere else.

I actually made curry last night using low sodium chicken broth, milk (no lie), and a tiny bit (tsp) of brown sugar to get the sweet flavor.  Of course I used yellow curry powder :D, and I also added basil, coriander, garlic, and some red chile paste for "kick."  It was really good and way lower in fat.  I had a can of that "reduced" fat coconut milk, and it was still really high in fats, so I just got creative.  :)

You can also pour a can of coconut milk into a bowl and let the fat rise to the top.  Refrigerate it and you'll be able to lift off all the fat.  I just buy de fatted coconut milk in the can.  I don't have one handy or I'd give you the nutritional info. 

Clairelaine's tip sounds like a perfect solution.  Another, less yummy but still yummy solution would be to use milk, low fat milk.  if you cook your curry long enough to reduce the milk by about 40% you'll end up with a nice rich -in texture but not in calories- sauce.

To get the coconut flavor I use coconut juice which I buy in the drink section of the Chinese grocery store. 

Coconut essence and skim evaporated milk

I used to use evaporated milk to cut down the amount of coconut milk made from scratch when the canned stuff was not in stores. It works to give it that creamy taste when a lot of spice and/or sweetners are used in a recipe.  Though coconut essence would work, I personaly do not like it as a substitute for the taste of coconut milk - never know,you may find it works for you.  It is kind of like diet pop vs. sugared pop- it may not be worth the less calories for the better taste. It is worth experimenting.  It might work as a combination to lower calories.

I, too, mostly lurk on the boards, but I saw your post and had to respond.  I love curry.  I made a big pot of vegetable soup (chicken stock, green beans, canned tomatoes, celery, green pepper, carrots, onion, garlic).  Didn't feel like eating it for a third day in a row, so I took some of the soup and put it into the blender with a bit of NF milk (maybe 1/4 c).  Blended that all up, and used that to thicken the rest of the soup mix, adding in stir fried bok choi, red peppers and cabbage, and seasoning with curry and a little crushed red pepper. Yummy!  Didn't miss the coconut milk and it was very creamy. 

Just thinking off the cuff, I wonder if you could take the unsweetened coconut flakes you'd find in the baking section of the grocery store and simmer them in skim milk until it reduces. I've never tried it, but it could add both the flavor and creaminess these curry dishes are structured on.

Good luck. Let us know what works!

I know I saw instructions on making coconut milk & cream using raw coconut flakes.  Give me some time and I'll find it.  If I remember correctly, it used a blender, coconut and water, then was strained.

Original Post by red_herring:

Coconut essence and skim evaporated milk

 this is a brilliant idea! i've never thought of that.

 Here i have found you can buy coconut flavoured 98 % fat free evaporated milk, so i use that for curries :) 

hi im Thai and i can't live without red/green curry and rice! :-D when im on diet i replace coconut milk with a box of non sugar soymilk (or non fat milk if i dont have soymilk)..even my family can't make the different! Instead of have it with white rice, I have it with brown rice or rice vermicelli for healthier choice.

i dont know how different the taste is but i love almond milk and eat my cereal with it:) its sweet and lo cal