Tapioca pudding was one of the delicious treats my grandmother made for all her grandchildren. My cousin Denise reminded me several years ago about Ma (that's what we all called her) having mixed results with her tapioca. One time it would be heavenly, and the next time gluey. I thought it odd that Ma would have had difficulty with something so simple, but then I figured it out.
Reading. My grandmother (like her daughters and granddaughters who followed) was addicted to reading. Growing up in a very large family in the Lake District (northwest England), her favorite task was making all the beds. Not because she especially liked making beds, but that chore gave her the opportunity to be alone upstairs and get a lot of reading done. Can't do much harm there, but ... stuff happens when you're cooking and you can't put your book down.
So I imagine on those gluey pudding days, the plot was thickening and so was the tapioca!
So I imagine on those gluey pudding days, the plot was thickening and so was the tapioca!
Now I'm not touting tapioca pudding as a health food, but I would like to point out for those of you who are watching out for such things that it is grain-free and gluten-free and can easily be made dairy-free.
Also, since we live in an increasingly carb-wary culture, I should add that, though pure starch, tapioca is a natural source of resistant starch, the good starch that is resistant to digestion and feeds the friendly bacteria in the gut and can improve insulin sensitivity and blood glucose control. All of which I am no expert on, but this is simply by way of letting you know there is information out there.
Anyway ... tapioca pudding, chocolate or vanilla, is classic comfort food. And don't we all need a little comfort right now! Are you a tapioca pudding fan?
(Makes a little over 5 cups, 8 to 10 servings)
1/2 cup (3.25 ounces/92 grams) small pearl tapioca (not instant tapioca)
1 cup (8 fluid ounces/237 ml) very warm water
1/2 to 3/4 cup* (3.5 ounces/99 grams to 5.25 ounces/149 grams) sugar
1/4 cup (0.75 ounces/21 grams) natural unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 1/4 cups (26 fluid ounces/769 ml) organic milk
3 large organic eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Garnish: Whipped cream
Anyway ... tapioca pudding, chocolate or vanilla, is classic comfort food. And don't we all need a little comfort right now! Are you a tapioca pudding fan?
If you like it, please Pin it and share it!
Chocolate Tapioca Pudding
(Makes a little over 5 cups, 8 to 10 servings)
1/2 cup (3.25 ounces/92 grams) small pearl tapioca (not instant tapioca)
1 cup (8 fluid ounces/237 ml) very warm water
1/2 to 3/4 cup* (3.5 ounces/99 grams to 5.25 ounces/149 grams) sugar
1/4 cup (0.75 ounces/21 grams) natural unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 1/4 cups (26 fluid ounces/769 ml) organic milk
3 large organic eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Garnish: Whipped cream
* We use the lower amount of sugar and think that's perfect, but you might like a bit more.
1 In heavy-bottomed 2-quart saucepan, soak small pearl tapioca in very warm water for 30 minutes. In small bowl, whisk together sugar, cocoa, and salt.
1 In heavy-bottomed 2-quart saucepan, soak small pearl tapioca in very warm water for 30 minutes. In small bowl, whisk together sugar, cocoa, and salt.
2 Stir the cocoa mixture and the milk into the soaked tapioca. Cook over medium* heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, then reduce heat. Simmer uncovered, stirring frequently (and then constantly as it gets thicker) for 12 to 15 minutes.
* And I do mean medium. No matter how heavy your saucepan, if you try to hurry it along by cranking up the heat you'll scorch it. Then as you stir, the scorched patch will come off in shreds and be all mixed in with the pudding. Not good. (You may ask, Hmm ... wonder how she knows that? I'll tell you--the same way I know that stuff happens when you're cooking and you can't put your book down!)
3 In 1-quart bowl, lightly beat the eggs. Gradually stir about a cup of the hot mixture into the lightly beaten eggs, then pour back into the saucepan. The eggs will thin out the pudding. Cook, stirring, over low heat (do not boil) until the pudding thickens, several minutes. Remove from heat, then stir in vanilla extract.
* And I do mean medium. No matter how heavy your saucepan, if you try to hurry it along by cranking up the heat you'll scorch it. Then as you stir, the scorched patch will come off in shreds and be all mixed in with the pudding. Not good. (You may ask, Hmm ... wonder how she knows that? I'll tell you--the same way I know that stuff happens when you're cooking and you can't put your book down!)
3 In 1-quart bowl, lightly beat the eggs. Gradually stir about a cup of the hot mixture into the lightly beaten eggs, then pour back into the saucepan. The eggs will thin out the pudding. Cook, stirring, over low heat (do not boil) until the pudding thickens, several minutes. Remove from heat, then stir in vanilla extract.
4 Pour into 1.5-quart bowl; cover with lid. Let stand at room temperature for 20 minutes, give it a stir, then place in refrigerator for at least 3 hours or up to 3 days.
Disclosure: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon .com and affiliated sites. We are a ThermoWorks affiliate, earning a small commission at no cost to you on purchases made through our links. This helps cover some of the costs of running the blog. Thank you for your support.
Jean
Jean
55 comments:
Is small pearl tapioca same as sago, which are small white pearls and turn transparent after cooking? The pudding looks so tempting!
Jean, tapioca pudding is a favourite here and I was making it almost every week or every two weeks for months. Then, my hubby couldn't find tapioca in the store any longer. He couldn't find it in any store. No one seemed to be selling it. Over Christmas I forgot about it until now! I have never had chocolate and that sounds heavenly! Maybe I will go to the store on the weekend with him and see if I can find it. I would love to try your recipe! I enjoyed hearing about your grandmother too. I love stories like that. Our grandmothers were special people and taught us so much! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Angie. And, yes, sounds like it's the same as sago. Not the big pearls used in bubble tea and not the flakes of instant tapioca. Hope you'll try it soon.
Sandi, I do hope you'll be able to find the tapioca this weekend! There's always ordering online, if the local stores can't help you. And thank you for commenting on my grandmother story - I know you appreciate those, too!
I just made tapioca this week, as it's one of my very favorite desserts. I noticed that my son that lives her with me, loves it, too, because he finished it off!! I have never made the chocolate variation, however. It's hard to find the pearl tapioca because not all stores carry it, but I have been able to find one store.
We both enjoy tapioca pudding here at our house. Yours looks delicious!
Dearest Jean,
I've been missing you and your so delightfule recipes so so much! Alas, I was far too busy writing my last book, which will be published in a few days.
I'm going to try this dessert for sure, it's truly a temptation to me, I'm so fond of chocolate :)
Take acre and stay safe
Dany at 'My little old world'
Chocolate tapioca pudding. Yes please, Jean.
Love the plate and those spoons are so baroque.
I must admit , in my childhood I would never have touched tapioca pudding with a barge pole. It was a staple dessert for school dinners. The school version had a texture like fine sand and it stuck in my throat. I could never swallow it. You may have converted me with this though .
Dickens quote
" 'What!' said the master at length, in a faint voice.
'Please, sir,' replied Oliver, 'I want some more.'
Congrats on your 11th blogiversary!! Glad Mr Delightful requested tapioca pudding and glad you chose chocolate. Looks yummy, this chocoholic approves! Thanks so much for linking up with me at the Unlimited Monthly Link Party 21. Shared on social media.
Kitty, thank you. Vanilla is my favorite, but the chocolate is a fave with chocolate fans like Mr Delightful. The tapioca pearls seem to be the latest hard-to-get item of the pandemic! Remember you can always click on the link and order it online if your stores are out.
Thanks, Ellen. We love it!
Dany, thanks so much. I've wondered what you've been up to! Looking forward to hearing more about your book.
Thanks, Tony. Yes, you must try it made properly with proper small pearl tapioca. The school dinner version was probably made with instant tapioca and lots of water!
Dee, thanks so much. I think you're going to really like it if you're a chocoholic!
For sure, yum!!
I have been a lover of tapioca pudding my whole life, and used to make a big batch for my family using a half-gallon of milk and five eggs, minimal sugar. We always separated the eggs and beat the whites separately to add at the end, to keep it "fluffy." I've also made vegan versions, Indian style with spices and pistachios; with almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk... But never chocolate! How is that possible??
Many, many times I've scorched the pudding and had to fish out burned bits of milk, or pour the whole lot into a clean pot -- I was likely reading! In the new era, I cook it in the microwave in 3-5 min. sessions between stirrings; it's more tedious, but avoids scorching.
Now I want to try your version that sounds very do-able and yummy, and I resolve not to multi-task but to pay attention to the pudding!
Gretchenjoanna, I'm only just finding out that a lot of tapioca lovers have never had chocolate tapioca! I do hope you'll try it soon, and please let me know how my recipe turned out for you AND whether you were able to stick to your resolve to not multi-task! 😂
I’m not a big tapioca fan, but chocolate makes anything better. And your detective work to connect your grandmother’s inconsistency with thickening tapioca to the plot thickening of her reads would impress Agatha Christie. Very digestible tapioca and very digestible post!
Gosh, 11 years? Congrats! That's forever and a day in blogging terms. And what a nifty recipe you've shared to help us celebrate. This looks excellent -- just loaded with flavor. Tapioca pudding is good stuff, and you've reminding me I haven't had any in way too long. That'll change, though, and soon. :-) Good stuff -- thanks.
Thanks, Sully! I was hoping you'd notice that particular line. "Very digestible," indeed!
Thanks, John! I hope you'll whip up a batch for you and Mrs Riffs very soon!
This sounds delicious! I must confess, however, that tapioca hasn’t been on my radar very often. I’ve never bought it at the market.
Thanks, Nellie! It's never to late too late to try it!
Good morning Jean. Thanks so much for this recipe. I'm such a tapioca pudding fan and I've never thought about making it chocolate. Pinning.
Wonderful info about tapioca. Mother used to make it in my youth and I refused to even
try it. You know kids, they get an idea in their head about food and there is not changeing
it. But as a very mature adult, I think I need to try this at least once. Thank you, Lynn
Thanks so much, Lea Ann. My usual favorite is vanilla, but I must admit the chocolate makes a nice change from time to time.
Lynn, I think your "very mature adult" self is going to love it! Please try it soon and let me know how you liked it!
I've never been a tapioca fan but this sounds pretty delicious!
Thanks, Jeanie! We love it!
Well, my friend... here I am at 62 and I have never either had or made anything with tapioca! I know I am missing out. So very sad... I will need to remedy this with your chocolate pudding.
David, yes, let's remedy that right now! Just be sure to get the small pearls, as you'll only be disappointed by the instant. And I don't want you to be disappointed!
Happy 11th blogiversary.
Many thanks for this lovely looking recipe.
All the best Jan
Jan, thanks so much. I can't believe it's been that long!
I haven't had tapioca pudding in years, Jean! Thank you for reminding me of it. Your Chocolate version looks so good! I don't have a family recipe for tapioca pudding, and I know my husband would enjoy it. It was nice to learn a bit about your Grandma too! Thank you for sharing and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party Community. I’m featuring this post at the party this week. Take care, and have a lovely week!
April, thank you! Much appreciated. I think of my mother and my grandmothers whenever I'm cooking, and so I pop a snippet about them into the blog occasionally. Thank you for noticing!
Visiting from April's Hearth and Soul. My late husband loved tapioca and I grew to enjoy it by making it or buying it for him. I've never seen or had chocolate tapioca though. Sounds and looks delicious! I love how your grandmother managed to get in her reading!
Shirley
Thank you, Shirley! And it's so nice to "meet" you! I look forward to visiting your blog as I have several friends who are gluten-free. I went GF for six weeks a few years ago just to experiment, and I apparently don't have a gluten problem. But the GF diet is certainly doable, no need to feel deprived. It's good to have ones like you showing new ones how it's done, eliminating a lot of "learning the hard way!"
I must admit that this does look truly delicious but, as Tony has already mentioned, tapioca was a standard pudding at school dinners and the dinners at my school were truly appalling. The only time I've eaten tapioca since was in a French country restaurant and only after they promised me a glass of excellent dessert wine if I ate it all. Looking at this dish, I really think you could persuade me to try tapioca again. (Although it would be a dessert for one. I just raised the idea of tapioca with my wife and she ran screaming from the room. School dinners have a lot to answer for.)
Thanks, Phil! I would love to be the one to put those horrible school dinner memories to rest for both of you! And I can assure you mine bears no resemblance to the tasteless, made with water, version that my schools dished up. Do give it a try and let me know if your wife was tempted to try a spoonful as well!
I could make it with coconut milk, I bet. Oh, it sounds so comforting! Thank you!
Thank you, Pom Pom! Good to hear from you! I'm sure coconut milk would work just fine.
I love chocolate pudding and I love tapioca too but I've never combined the two though it sure does sounds good. I have some large pearls hiding somewhere in our pantry. Guess I'll have to dig them out!
Richard, I've never used the large pearls. You'll have to let me know how that turns out! I think they probably require precooking rather than soaking.
Jean! I'm so glad I saved this recipe to open. I loved your story about your grandmother liking to read and gumming up the works! I relate. I need to pay attention and not get sucked into another beloved activity while cooking.
Also, Mr Lightarted and I visited the Lake District while I was in the UK providing workshops. It was our favorite place. Just lovely! We really enjoyed the public walking paths.
And what great info on tapioca. I just made plain old vanilla, but I'm going to give the cacao
a try. We love tapioca, but my mother's specialty when we were growing up was baked custard.
Thanks so much, Susan! I gave up on combining reading and cooking long ago. I get really engrossed in books, moving right into the neighborhood with the characters, and I don't like being pulled out repeatedly to tend to something in the present! :D Wish you hadn't reminded me of baked custard. Now I want to stir some up and pop it into the oven, but I've got other irons in the fire.
CONGRATS! Your post is FEATURED at my Unlimited Monthly Link Party 22!
Thanks so much, Dee!
I can feel the weight gain already just looking at it. Yum!
Thanks, Terry! Happy Spring!
Happy Blogiversary (late) - And Thank you for sharing this yummy pudding at the What's for Dinner party!! Have a great weekend.
Helen, thank you so much! I'll be checking out more What's for Dinner.
Look in gluten free section
Yes, it is gluten-free, but not listed in the gluten-free category because tapioca pudding is something that is naturally and always gluten-free.
Hi, you say to add cocoa into soaked pearls but you don't mention if you've drained the soaking water off first or is it included in that next step? Help!
Marcia-Dawn, you do NOT drain off the soaking water. Do let me know how it turns out for you.
Post a Comment