Enjoyed either warm or cold, a bowl of creamy tapioca pudding is at the same time, a filling snack and comforting dessert. Layered with a sweet strawberry compote and flavored with cardamom, this make-ahead grown-up version is sure to keep you coming back for more. Perfect for Mother's Day, Valentine's Day and more!
You will need:
For Strawberry Compote,
Strawberries - 2 cups, chopped
Sugar - 6 tbsp
Lemon juice - 1 tbsp
For Tapioca Pudding,
Tapioca pearls - ⅔ cup
Milk - 3 cups, divided
Cornstarch - 1 tbsp
Sugar - 2 tbsp
Cardamom powder - ½ tsp (optional)
Vanilla extract - ½ tsp
How to:
Strawberry compote: Take the berries, sugar and lemon juice in a sauce pan and start cooking on medium heat. Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce heat and cook for 5 minutes till it thickens. Lightly mash the berries with the back of a spoon or leave them as such if you like the texture. Remove from heat and cool. Store in a jar till needed.
Tapioca pudding: Begin by washing the tapioca pearls lightly under running water. Soak the pearls in a bowl of water for 15-20 minutes.
Drain the tapioca pearls, add to a large sauce pan and add 2 cups of milk. Cook the tapioca on medium heat till soft and gelatinous, around 12-15 minutes. Turn off the heat when done.
Meanwhile, you will make a thick milk pudding. Whisk together 1 cup of milk, cornstarch and sugar in a sauce pan. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, whisking all the while, till it thickens.
Add this milk pudding to tapioca pearls cooked in milk. Add cardamom powder and vanilla extract. Whisk well and cook for a further 5 minutes or till thickened to your liking. Pudding will thicken further as it cools.
Layer tapioca pudding and strawberry compote in dessert glasses or bowls. Serve warm or chill in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before serving.
Cover the pudding with cling wrap and store for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Notes:
1. The pudding has been very lightly sweetened because we are layering it with the sweet strawberry compote. Increase the amount of sugar to your liking if you are serving the pudding without the compote.
Recipe by At The Corner of Happy And Harried at https://www.happyandharried.com/2016/05/02/tapioca-strawberry-pudding/