Maple Tapioca Recipe

Ingredients:

• 6 to 8 dried apricots, peaches, figs, or prunes
• 5 tablespoons granulated (quick) tapioca
• 2 ½ cups milk (cow or goat)
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom

Optional Toppings: toasted blanched almonds, slivered, and toasted unsweetened shredded coconut, about 2 tablespoons of each.

Directions:

Chop the dried fruit into small pieces. Place fruit, tapioca, milk, and salt in the top of a double boiler and cook over boiling water for ten minutes, stirring only if the mixture begins to stick. Add maple syrup. Reduce heat and simmer 2 minutes on very low heat. 

In a separate small bowl, beat the eggs. Mix ½ cup of the hot tapioca mixture into the eggs to avoid curdling, then gradually add the egg mixture to the rest of the tapioca, cooking for 3 to 4 minutes and stirring constantly. Add vanilla and spices, stir well. 

Remove from heat and cool. Garnish with toasted almonds and coconut as desired. Serve warm or cold.