Elizabeth Nyland, author of the blog Guilty Kitchen and the new cookbook Cooking with Coconut Oil: Gluten-Free, Grain-Free Recipes for Good Living, talks about her Chocolate, Avocado, Coconut, and Lime Pie in her book. She says: “This pie is green. Some people don’t like that. Let me tell you this: They haven’t tasted this pie. Yes, the pie’s main ingredient is avocado, but the lime, vanilla, and coconut oil cut the flavor quite beautifully. The chocolate layer is a bit of a bonus but makes for an interesting texture amongst the softer crust and pudding-like filling.” Clearly, this is another great entry for our Suite of Sweets for Sweethearts event.
Elizabeth goes on to tell you that any leftovers might discolor slightly to a browner shade of green, but the taste will remain the same. Well, I’ve enjoyed avocado and lime pies before—usually in the form of raw key lime pie—and they were phenomenal.
If there were even a few folks on hand to help eat the pie, there were NO leftovers, believe me! So trust Elizabeth and don’t worry about the green. Green can be good when it comes to food color and recipe color … often very, very good, and healthy, too! Plus, wouldn’t this pie be great to make for St. Patrick’s Day?
Obviously, Elizabeth’s cookbook is one that sings the praises of coconut oil—figuratively and literally—and there are many things to love about coconut oil! Her cookbook also shares the benefits of coconut flour and that’s the key ingredient in several of the baked good recipes.
That fact and the “grain-free” in this cookbook’s title might lead you to the conclusion that this is a paleo cookbook and you would be right. However, if you’re not paleo, please don’t be put off by that “label” (and note that specific label is not on this cookbook per se) because this cookbook can be enjoyed by just about everyone.
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this cookbook for someone who is vegan because many dishes are not vegan (and couldn’t be adapted), but this pie recipe IS vegan and there are a fair number of vegan recipes. All others, even vegetarians, will find many recipes to enjoy from Cooking with Coconut Oil.
Because paleo eating means that dishes will be naturally gluten free, grain free, dairy free, and refined sugar free, any of you who like leaving out those ingredients will especially appreciate this cookbook. These are healthy omissions for many and Elizabeth’s recipes don’t lack anything.
Elizabeth is a trained chef who started blogging as a way to expend her “creative energy” independently of her young children. Her cookbook was my first introduction to her blog, Guilty Kitchen, but she shares in her book that initially the recipes she shared there ran the gamut—from raw to vegetarian to totally indulgent. However, that was before her neighbors introduced her to paleo living. She tried the paleo lifestyle and found out that she felt “amazing” when she ate that way, which she describes as “eating the most nutritionally dense foods while avoiding those foods that promote inflammation, hormone imbalances, or chronic disease.”
Elizabeth’s cookbook is another one that’s small and compact, which I love in a cookbook. (I shared the same comment on Everyday Classics: 68 Tasty & Essential Recipes Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free, and Soy Free from my friend, Alexa “Lexie” Croft, of Flo and Grace.) In fact, Cooking with Coconut Oil is only 7 inches square and just half an inch thick, so you can easily throw it in your purse for your visit to the grocery store. That way you’ll be sure to pick up the whole food ingredients you need for the almost 90 recipes.
For those of us who already eat real, whole foods, you’ll be happy to know that these are mostly basic ingredients that Elizabeth uses. In fact, her ingredients section only includes eight ingredients that she recommends and they’re ones like Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, Coconut Oil, Aged Balsamic Vinegar, and Pastured Eggs. So they’re not unusual at all. Likewise, the recipe categories are also basic ones—Breakfast, Salads and Dressings, Sides, Mains, Snacks and Starters, and Desserts and Baked Goods.
The recipes I tried and/or that are featured here were in that last category. There’s that very photogenic, very appealing and delicious Chocolate, Avocado, Coconut, and Lime Pie (get the recipe at the bottom of this post), but I also gave Elizabeth’s Sandwich Bread a try. The recipe calls for almond butter, which I didn’t have on hand when it was time to make her bread. The truth is that I adore almond butter and as a result, it disappears quickly in my house. Sigh. I could have easily made my own almond butter using my food processor, but Mr. GFE had already turned in for the night so I opted to go a quieter route and make the bread with non-paleo peanut butter.
I figured that peanut butter would be close enough to almond butter in its characteristics to give me a good feel for the recipe. And it was, it did, and I was pleased. Shown below is a photo of Elizabeth’s Sandwich Bread (again, only slightly adapted out of necessity) beside my own Paleo Bread. She directs you to line the loaf pan with parchment paper which holds the heat in a way that the top of the loaf cracks, but it does seem that step makes the bread rise a bit more and the look is very appealing, which is nice.
When made with peanut butter, the bread had a yummy peanut butter vibe (nice for a quick bread!), but most importantly it made a good, moist bread. When made with milder almond butter, it would definitely make terrific sandwich bread.
This bread stayed moist for days, which does mean that it needs to be used in 3 or 4 days (as Elizabeth directs) or kept in the refrigerator or freezer. This bread also slices beautifully and really has a great texture and flavor. I ate some for breakfast each day and used it to make a sandwich as well and, overall, I enjoyed it greatly. I will definitely be making it with almond butter or another nut butter next time!
Now for the Giveaway of Elizabeth Nyland’s Cooking with Coconut Oil …
UPDATE: This giveaway is now closed. The winners have been notified.
Chocolate, Avocado, Coconut, and Lime Pie Recipe
Chocolate, Avocado, Coconut, and Lime Pie
Elizabeth says: “This pie is green. Some people don’t like that. Let me tell you this: They haven’t tasted this pie. Yes, the pie’s main ingredient is avocado, but the lime, vanilla, and coconut oil cut the flavor quite beautifully. The chocolate layer is a bit of a bonus but makes for an interesting texture amongst the softer crust and pudding-like filling.”
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut chips
- 1/2 cup blanched almond meal
- Juice and zest of 1 lime
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
Chocolate Layer
- 3 oz unsweetened chocolate
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional)
Filling
- 3 large, ripe avocados (about 2 cups)
- Juice and zest of 2 limes
- 1/3 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: In a food processor or heavy duty blender, blend all crust ingredients until well blended but a little chunky. Pat into a greased 9-inch glass pie plate. Chill in freezer while moving to the next step.
- Make the chocolate layer: In a double-boiler or a metal bowl resting over a pot of simmering water, melt the chocolate and coconut oil together. Add maple syrup if you think you might not like the deep, rich flavor of unsweetened chocolate.
- Pour the chocolate over the cooled crust and swirl it around to cover all the surface area. Put it back in the freezer to cool completely.
- Make the filling: In a blender, blend all filling ingredients until smooth. Pour over solidified chocolate layer and chill for 4 to 6 hours.
Notes
Yield: 1 (9-inch) pie
Elizabeth says: "Make sure to cover tightly and consume within two to three days."
Serve with whipped coconut cream if desired. (Shirley here: Here's my recipe for Honey Whipped Coconut Cream.)
Full disclosure: This giveaway is jointly sponsored by Elizabeth Nyland, The Countryman Press, and gfe. However, all opinions expressed herein are my own.
Originally published February 21, 2014; updated March 13, 2021.
BJMarley says
I’ve started using coconut oil, but I’m a beginner at using it.
brooke says
I would love this book. I just started hearing about using coconut oil for cooking so I purchased some the other day. I would love this book to help with ideas on where to use it. So far I have used it for a sugar supplement in my coffee and also my oatmeal. I would love some more ideas for recipes!
Erin says
I love using coconut oil for my baking. It gives baked goods a nice taste (in my opinion!) I’ve love this to find new ways to use coconut oil!
Erin says
I like GFE on Facebook!
Erin says
I like Guilty Kitchen on Facebook
Brenda says
I use coconut oil for just about all of my cooking. It also
makes the best skin cream for face and body.
Nancy @http://glutenfreetravels.blogspot.com/ says
Would love to win this book. I use coconut oil for almost all my cooking but I’m always anxious to find new ideas. Will be linking up to follow gfe and
Guilty Kitchen. Thanks!
Karen says
would love to win this book. I adore coconut oil and am always looking for new ways to use it plus I have been gluten-free for years. also thanks for giving me a new site to check out!
insiya says
I have never used coconut oil for cooking. I just can’t get over the smell. Maybe its health benefits will soon motivate me to start using in baked items atleast!
insiya says
Already like GFE on facebook
Noreen says
I love using coconut oil for scrambled eggs or my daughters favorite chocolate muffins
Cristen says
I love pan frying fish and veg in coconut oil and substituting it for butter in baking (no big coconut flavor and same texture). The best part is knowing my family is healthier for it. Thanks for the chance to learn more in this contest, this book sounds awesome!
Sherry Eason says
I would love this book as I am gluten intolerant and I love coconut oil. I also am tying to go grain free and dairy free because I find it really helps my IBS and acid reflux. this book would be great for me.
Debbie TeitelbaumSkylar says
I have never tried cooking with coconut oil, but I will after reading this pie recipe! I’d love to win this book. Is there a way to make the pie recipe low-carb, too?!
Lori says
I love to make Popcorn with coconut oil. I cook everything with it actually. Coconut oil fixes everything!
Lori says
LIKE gfe on FB and get notifications! Thanks
Lori says
LIKE guilty kitchen on FB and get notifications! SO MUCH FUN!
Kristi says
Again I’m just now having to go gluten free so any cook books to help me along the way are very much appreciated ..
Terisa says
I love coconut oil. I started using it last year when I found out I had celiac. Now I use coconut oil all the time. I use it in my body scrub and other beauty products. I use it to cook with almost every day. I would love to win Elizabeth Nyland’s Cooking with Coconut Oil cookbook so I can learn more ways to use it.
Lewann Rice says
I love Coconut oil! It has such a neat flavor to add to our meals. One thing I love cooking with it is pan fried chicken. I know fried foods aren’t good for us but every now and then we crave it and I just love the added flavor the coconut oil brings!
Lewann Rice says
I liked gfe on Facebook!
Lewann Rice says
I liked guilty kitchen on Facebook and checked to get notifications!
Libbie says
I have always been in love with the flavor of coconut, but it wasn’t until last December, when I discovered the Bulletproof podcasts and diet (http://www.bulletproofexec.com/new-readers/), that I realized how healthy coconut oil is and how unhealthy most other commercial fats are. I am in college now, and since I have started using only healthy fats, I have felt much more focused while studying. I am gluten & dairy free & have loved experimenting with recipes while still using healthy fats like coconut, olive oil, and avocado. I recently discovered Elizabeth’s Guilty Kitchen blog and am excited to try some of her recipes out. I am also interested in going paleo so I’m glad she has a lot of paleo recipes! To sum it up, I would LOVE this book so I can discover more yummy ways of using my favorite oil!
Libbie says
Oh, and I liked GFE and Guilty Kitchen on FB!
Abbie says
I loooooove coconut oil and couldn’t live without it. We use it everyday! This looks so yummy!
Abbie says
I follow GFE on FB and I’m so glad I do!
Abbie says
I like guilty kitchen on FB too 🙂
insiya says
Thank you so much Shirley for giving the tip to use Expeller Pressed Coconut Oil. I had no idea. Replied to your email!
Angela says
This sounds amazing! I love using coconut oil and look forward to trying this. Pinned & Yummed 🙂 I would love for you to share at the Sunday Fitness & Food Link-Up at: http://www.marathonsandmotivation.com
Shirley Braden says
Hi Angela–I approved your comment and then forgot to come back and reply to it. Sorry about that! Thanks for the sharing and the info on your linky party! 🙂
Shirley
swathi says
Looks delicious pie thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, I love cooking with coconut oil. pinning tweeting
Shirley Braden says
Thanks, Swathi! I’m also a big fan of coconut oil. Always have it, always using it. 🙂
Shirley
April J Harris says
Sounds like a wonderful cookbook, Shirley, and oh my, that pie! I love all the wholesome ingredients – it’s so nice when something this tasty is good for you too! Thank you so much for sharing with us at the Hearth and Soul Hop. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get round to commenting!! Sharing!