Craving coastal flavours with special twist? 3 kokum recipes you need to try: From coconut milk bar to chilli flatbread

Revealed on: Sept 14, 2025 09:18 pm IST Kokum is a neighborhood fruit from western India. It is versatile and goes nicely with each savoury and candy dishes.  Are your style buds craving one thing particular, but sticking near house flavours? Each every so often, our culinary senses search for a gastronomic twist that’s each comforting and adventurous. Kokum is one such coastal fruit from western India that is gaining highlight and turning into the hero ingredient of acquainted dishes, however this time, including the tarty coastal flavour to beloved dishes like candy cheesecakes. Certainly, this coastal fruit has the potential to shock your palate. Kokum is a tropical fruit present in states like Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka, close to the Western Ghats. (PC: Freepik) ALSO READ: Including avocado to weight loss program? 5 scrumptious recipes to strive: Creamy spaghetti, Greek farm salad, crab-stuffed avocado and extra Chef Arun Kumar, sous chef at The Ashok, New Delhi, shared with HT Life-style the flavour notice of this fruit. Remarking how versatile it’s, Chef Arun stated, “It has this stunning pure tartness that works surprisingly nicely with every little thing from creamy desserts to savoury toppings.” Kokum will get a complete new makeover with attention-grabbing recipes you could already be conversant in, like milk bars, cheesecake, and flatbread, every elevated with the fruit’s tangy twist. Chef Arun revealed three scrumptious kokum recipes that you would be able to strive: 1. Kokum and coconut milk bars It’s a tropical no-bake deal with that blends tart kokum with creamy coconut.(PC: The Ashok) Components:1 cup rolled oats1.5 cups full-fat coconut milk1⁄4 cup freeze-dried raspberry powder1⁄2 cup desiccated coconut1/3 cup kokum focus (or cut back 2 cups kokum juice by half)1⁄4 cup maple syrup1⁄4 cup agave syrup2 tbsp coconut oil (melted)3 tbsp cornstarchPinch of salt1 tsp vanilla extractCoconut flakes (toasted), for garnishEdible gold leaf or dried kokum petals, for finishingMethod:Put together the bottom: In a meals processor, pulse the rolled oats and desiccated coconut till they resemble a rough flour. Add maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and a pinch of salt. Mix till the combination is sticky and holds collectively. Press firmly right into a parchment-lined loaf pan to type an excellent base. Freeze for quarter-hour.Make the filling: In a saucepan, whisk collectively the coconut milk, kokum focus, agave syrup, and vanilla extract. Regularly sprinkle within the cornstarch whereas whisking to keep away from lumps. Cook dinner over medium warmth, stirring constantly, till the combination thickens (about 7–8 minutes). Let it cool for 10 minutes.Assemble: Pour the cooled filling over the ready base. Freeze for about 1 hour, till set however not absolutely stable.Completion: In a small bowl, combine the raspberry powder with 1 tsp water to create a vibrant paste. Swirl it gently over the floor of the bars utilizing a toothpick or skewer for a marbled impact.To serve: Slice into bars and garnish with toasted coconut flakes, dried kokum petals, or a contact of edible gold leaf for a festive end.Tip: These bars retailer nicely within the freezer. Allow them to sit at room temperature for five–7 minutes earlier than serving for the proper chunk. 2. Kokum and chilli crisp flatbread Kokum and chilli crisp flatbread is layered with tangy kokum oil, creamy avocado, and fiery chilli crisp.(PC: The Ashok) Components:Base: For Kokum oil (put together forward): 1⁄2 cup extra-virgin olive oil15–20 dried kokum items (approx. 1⁄4 cup)1 tsp black peppercorns, evenly crushedToppings: 3–4 tbsp chili crisp1 ripe avocado, thinly slicedFlaky sea salt, to tasteToasted sesame seedsMicrogreensEdible flowers (elective, for garnish)Methodology:Infuse the kokum oil (do that not less than 1 hour prematurely): In a small saucepan, gently heat the olive oil, dried kokum, and crushed peppercorns over low warmth for 8–10 minutes, don’t let it simmer. As soon as the oil turns a wealthy burgundy, flip off the warmth and let it steep for 45 minutes. Pressure by a muslin material or high quality sieve and put aside.Crisp the flatbread: Brush the sourdough flatbreads generously with the kokum oil. Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for 8–10 minutes, till the sides flip golden and crisp.Assemble: Whereas nonetheless scorching, spoon chilli crisp generously over the floor. Prime with sliced avocado, a sprinkle of flaky salt, sesame seeds, and microgreens.End and serve: Drizzle with further kokum oil in zig-zag patterns and add just a few edible flowers for a chic, vibrant end. Serve heat or at room temperature.3. Kokum and white chocolate cheesecake bites It is a miniature cheesecake with white chocolate.(PC: The Ashok) Components:For the bottom: 120g digestive biscuits50g melted butter1 tbsp brown sugarCheesecake filling: 225g cream cheese100g white chocolate (melted and cooled)60g powdered sugar1 tsp vanilla extract120ml heavy creamKokum swirl: 3 tbsp kokum concentrate1 tsp lemon juice1 tsp powdered sugarEdible gold leaf, for garnishMethod:Put together the bottom: Crush the digestive biscuits into high quality crumbs and mix with melted butter and brown sugar. Press 1 tsp of this combination into the underside of every cavity in a mini cupcake or silicone mould tray. Chill within the fridge for 15–20 minutes.Make the filling: In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese till clean. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Fold within the cooled, melted white chocolate. Gently fold in whipped cream till the combination is gentle and mixed.Kokum swirl: In a separate bowl, combine kokum focus, lemon juice, and powdered sugar. Reserve a small portion of the cheesecake filling (about 3 tbsp) and mix it with 1 tsp kokum combine to create a vivid magenta swirl paste.Meeting: Spoon or pipe the white filling over the biscuit bases, leaving about 2mm on the high. Dot every with a small quantity of the kokum swirl paste and use a toothpick to softly swirl — don’t overmix.Completion: Chill till set, then gently unmould and garnish every chunk with a tiny flake of edible gold leaf utilizing tweezers.Tip: These bites are excellent for entertaining — make them a day prematurely and retailer chilled for greatest outcomes. The chef famous that these kokum might be personalised and experimented with additional elements, for instance, by including recent berries to the coconut bars, or utilizing kokum oil to brighten up roasted greens or eaten even for a easy salad. Catch each large hit, each wicket with Crick-it, a one cease vacation spot for Reside Scores, Match Stats, Quizzes, Polls & way more. Discover now!.Catch your day by day dose of Vogue, Taylor Swift, Well being, Festivals, Journey, Relationship, Recipe and all the opposite Newest Life-style Information on Hindustan Occasions Web site and APPs. Catch each large hit, each wicket with Crick-it, a one cease vacation spot for Reside Scores, Match Stats, Quizzes, Polls & way more. Discover now!.Catch your day by day dose of Vogue, Taylor Swift, Well being, Festivals, Journey, Relationship, Recipe and all the opposite Newest Life-style Information on Hindustan Occasions Web site and APPs. Information / Life-style / Recipes / Craving coastal flavours with particular twist? 3 kokum recipes it is advisable to strive: From coconut milk bar to chilli flatbread See Much less