CRACKING A COCONUT

You are shopping and you see that there are some fresh coconut.

You pick one up with lofty aspirations of sweet desserts.

As you are looking at them you have no idea how to pick one out.

The easiest way to pick out a fresh coconut is to shake it. If you can hear juice inside it is fresh.

If you don't hear anything, pick out another one. It will be too old and rubbery.

You get it home, and you look at it, where do you start?

The easiest way to crack a coconut is to grab a screwdriver and a hammer.

Place the screwdriver tip into one of the "eyes" and strike the end of the handle gently with a hammer until you have a hole.

Repeat the process for a second "venting" hole.

Now pour out the juice into a glass and reserve for later use.

Place your empty coconut into the freezer for at least an hour.

When it is good and cold and you are ready to get cracking, get your coconut and wrap it in an old dish towell.

Using your hammer gently start tapping on the shell all over.

Gently increase the pressure of the hits until you crack the shell.

When it breaks open, you can remove the white meat from the shell and prepare it for your recipe as needed.