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Coconut Chia-Tapioca Pudding

Coconut ChiaTapioca Pudding recipe
Alex Lau

Health food stores often sell already shelled fresh coconut meat. If you can’t find it, buy a whole coconut instead. Look for one that’s heavy for its size and filled with liquid (give it a shake to be sure).

Recipe information

  • Yield

    6 servings

Ingredients

½ cup large pearl tapioca (not instant or quick-cooking)
1 tablespoon white chia seeds
2 13.5-ounce cans unsweetened coconut milk
½ teaspoon kosher salt
⅓ cup light agave nectar, plus more for serving
1 cup chopped fresh coconut meat
½ cup chopped fresh pineapple, plus more for serving
Sliced mango and toasted unsweetened shredded coconut (for serving)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine tapioca and 2 cups water in a medium bowl. Combine chia seeds and ½ cup coconut milk in a small bowl. Cover both bowls with plastic wrap and chill overnight. Pour remaining coconut milk in open can into an airtight container or another small bowl; cover and chill until ready to use.

    Step 2

    Drain tapioca pearls. Combine reserved coconut milk and coconut milk from remaining can in a medium saucepan; add salt and ⅓ cup agave. Bring to a boil over medium, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring constantly, until reduced by one-quarter, about 5 minutes. Add tapioca and cook, stirring constantly, until tapioca is translucent and tender but still chewy in the center, about 5 minutes. Set saucepan in a bowl of ice water and let cool, stirring occasionally.

    Step 3

    Stir soaked chia seeds, coconut meat, and ½ cup pineapple into pudding and scrape into a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing directly onto surface, and chill until thickened and cold, at least 2 hours.

    Step 4

    To serve, stir pudding well and divide among bowls. Top with mango, shredded coconut, and more pineapple and drizzle with some agave.

    Step 5

    Do Ahead: Pudding can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.

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