Recipes | I've Been Cooking

Cocadas Panameñas de Chocolate

Chewy, chocolate-infused Panamanian cocadas made with toasted coconut, sweetened condensed milk, cocoa, and a glossy dark chocolate finish. Rich, coconutty, and perfect for a bite-sized dessert.

🇵🇦 Panama$$

Tamarind Balls

Tangy-sweet Caribbean treats made by rolling tamarind pulp with sugar, warm spices, a hint of chili, and coconut—chewy, zesty, and addictive.

🇱🇨 Saint Lucia$

Ikan Asin Cocos

Ikan Asin Cocos is a bold Indonesian-style salted fish simmered in fragrant coconut milk with chilies, aromatics, and a touch of palm sugar, served with steamed rice and fresh cucumber. Creamy, spicy, and deeply savory with bright citrus notes from lime and kaffir leaves.

🇨🇨 Cocos (Keeling) Islands$$

Ota Ika

Ota Ika is Tonga’s coconut–citrus ceviche: tender fresh fish briefly cured in lime and lemon juice, enriched with creamy coconut milk, and tossed with crisp vegetables, chili, and herbs. Bright, cooling, and perfect for warm weather.

🇳🇺 Niue$$

Pani Popo

Pani Popo are soft Samoan coconut buns baked in a sweet coconut milk sauce. They’re tender, lightly sweet, and soaked with creamy coconut goodness.

🇹🇰 Tokelau$

Lamington

Classic Australian lamingtons: soft vanilla sponge squares dipped in a rich chocolate icing, rolled in desiccated coconut, and sandwiched with raspberry jam for a luscious tea-time treat.

🇦🇺 Australia$$

Khao Lam Bites

Chewy, aromatic Thai street-dessert bites of coconut-sweetened sticky rice with black beans, steamed/roasted in banana leaf or bamboo. Finished with shredded coconut and toasted sesame for a nutty, caramelized flavor.

🇱🇦 Laos$$

Nanumea Coconut Truffle

Lush island-style truffles featuring rich coconut and dark chocolate, brightened with lime zest and vanilla, and finished with a hint of sea salt and cocoa.

🇹🇻 Tuvalu$$

Lolo Cassava

Lolo Cassava is a Fijian-inspired dish of tender cassava simmered in rich coconut milk and cream with aromatics, wrapped in banana leaf for a fragrant finish. Creamy, comforting, and naturally gluten-free and vegan.

🇸🇧 Solomon Islands$$

Niue Coconut Fish

A bright, island-style citrus-cured fish bathed in silky coconut cream with crunchy vegetables and chili heat—cool, refreshing, and deeply aromatic.