Welcome, friends! Today we're going to learn what tapioca is. A superfood that we could turn into our favorite ingredient, it's also known as yuca or manioc .
Let's talk about its benefits and all the ways to include it in our daily recipes . A few drinks and a sweet recipe you can't miss.
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About tapioca
It is a food that is used as a main ingredient in a wide variety of recipes . It is often used as a substitute for wheat flour and can be found in flour, granulated, or pearl form .
- Tapioca comes from the root of the cassava (Manihot esculenta), also known as manioc .
FACT: It is a commonly used ingredient in Brazilian and Filipino cuisine to prepare dishes such as puddings, breads and cakes..
It is also used as an ingredient in food products such as tapioca starch, which is used as a thickener in sauces and soups.
What benefits does eating tapioca give us?
It is a good option for those looking for a quick source of energy , because among its components we can highlight a large amount of complex carbohydrates, and it is also low in fat and protein.
Some benefits of its daily consumption:
- Good source of fiber: helps regulate intestinal transit and may help reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Rich in minerals: It is rich in minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and iron.
- Gluten-free: This is an option for those looking for a gluten-free alternative to foods based on wheat, oats, barley, and rye. You might also be interested in using it in some delicious gluten-free Chipas . You can see the process in this video .
Keep in mind : Although it can be a healthy option in many ways, excessive consumption can have negative health effects due to its low nutrient content.
Also, remember that tapioca pearls are combined with ingredients like sugar and syrups, so it's recommended to consume them in moderation.
Dessert options
There are many different recipes that can be made, either in flour or pearl form. Some popular recipes include:
- Tapioca Pudding: This is a super simple dessert that we can make by cooking tapioca with milk and sugar. It's then served with fresh fruit, jam, or syrup.
- Tapioca with condensed milk: This is a simple yet delicious recipe that combines cooked tapioca pearls with condensed milk, vanilla, and cinnamon.
- With fruit: A simple way to prepare tapioca pearls is to cook the pearls in water and then mix them with fresh fruit such as banana, strawberries, mango or pineapple.
- With coconut: This is a classic dessert in Brazil, tapioca pearls are cooked with coconut milk and sugar, served with grated coconut and condensed milk.
- With Chocolate: This combination is simple and delicious. Cook the tapioca and then mix it with melted chocolate. You can also add nuts or dried fruit.
There are many other ways to prepare it for desserts. This ingredient is super versatile and can be used in a variety of sweet and savory dishes.
Drinks with tapioca
There are several popular drinks that can be made, such as:
- Boba tea or bubble tea is a very popular sweet drink made with milk or tea and cooked tapioca pearls.
- With coconut milk: This is a traditional Brazilian drink, made from tapioca pearls cooked with coconut milk and sugar. It's served cold with lots of ice.
- With milk: It is a simple but delicious drink made by cooking tapioca pearls in milk with sugar and spices such as cinnamon or vanilla.
- With fruit : For this recipe, cooked tapioca is mixed with fresh fruit such as bananas, strawberries, mango, or pineapple. Then, everything is blended and water or milk is added.
- With chocolate: You can make a drink with tapioca cooked in milk, mixed with melted chocolate, and served cold.
- With coffee: One option is to mix cooked pearls with cold coffee and milk, this drink can be sweetened with honey or sugar.
Easy way to make tapioca
There are several ways to make tapioca, so here's a simple, basic recipe for it.
For 1 cup of tapioca pearls we will need 4 cups of water .
- First, we completely cover the pearls in a bowl of water. We let them soak for at least an hour.
- After the time has passed, drain the water and place the tapioca in a medium saucepan. Add the 4 cups of fresh water and mix.
- Place the pot over medium-high heat. Once it boils, reduce the heat to medium-low and let the tapioca pearls cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- The pearls are ready when they have softened and become transparent. Remove them from the water and let them cool before using.
Note: The pearls can be cooked in a 1:4 ratio of pearls to water, although in this recipe you can play with the different ratios to achieve different textures. At this point, you can also add sugar or spices to flavor the pearls while they cook.
Important: Remember that cooked tapioca pearls should be kept in the refrigerator and consumed as soon as possible.
3-Milk Tapioca Dessert Recipe
- Servings: 6-8
- Preparation time: 40 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Cup of Tapioca.
- 1 can of condensed milk
- 1 Can of Evaporated Milk
- 2 liters of water.
- 1 tablespoon of vanilla
- 2 Cinnamon Sticks.
- 1 liter of milk.
How to make 3 milks dessert
- Soak the tapioca for 20 minutes. This removes the starch. After this time, strain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a saucepan, add one liter of milk along with the two cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil and add the soaked tapioca. Cook for 10 minutes.
- After the time has elapsed, lower the heat and add a splash of vanilla, the evaporated milk, and the condensed milk. Stir constantly to prevent sticking. Cook for 10 more minutes.
- Turn off the heat, let it cool for a few minutes, and serve. Ideally, let it cool for 30 minutes, but it can also be eaten warm. Sprinkle with cinnamon and add fruit if desired.
Whenever I go to Brazil (I'm not a millionaire, but I have a crossing 60km away), I bring back three or four bags because one of my favorite desserts is sago.
I'm going to try using them in other recipes.