Tapioca

Nestled in a flaky crust, nectarines and raspberries seem to tease the best out of each other — these pies are fragrant and floral, sweet and tart. Even if you've never had the combination of fruits before, it instantly tastes like an American classic.

In adding translucent pearls of tapioca to the mushroom broth in this recipe, we've borrowed one of chef Daniel Boulud's methods for giving body to a light sauce.

Simple yet sumptuous desserts like this one — where readily available ingredients such as bananas or yams are cooked in sweet coconut milk — are a specialty of Malay cooking. The pudding is traditionally made with pearl sago and palm sugar.

Top this homey dessert with green grapes and orange slices for a pretty presentation.

Tender, biscuit-like dough is formed into a lattice atop this easy treat.

Made from yuca (pronounced "YOO-ca"), pearl tapioca can be found at Asian markets and specialty foods shops. Active time: 2 hr Start to finish: 2 1/2 hr

Try this sweet alternative to fat-and cholesterol-laden crème brûlée.

Putting this moist pudding under the broiler for a few minutes allows the brown sugar topping to melt into a sweet syrup.

There's a touch of lemon in this summer pie.

The size of tapioca pearls varies widely. What one brand calls "small," another brand might term "large," so don't pay much attention to the label. Instead, look for pearls that are 1/8 to 3/16 inch in diameter for making this dessert.

If you love the texture of chia pudding, it gets even closer to bubble tea with the addition of tapioca pearls here.

You’ll want something crunchy to go with the soft pudding. Pistachios are just the start! Choose any nut or seed you like.