Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Tapioca & Cantaloupe


I've had a clumsy start to the week.  I'm not even usually a clumsy person, but this week, it's like accident after accident seems to be happening!

Sunday, while making dinner, I made the stupidest mistake ever.  I had cooked some salmon in the oven (in an oven-proof skillet).  After removing the skillet from the oven, getting side-tracked into a conversation of some sort with Andy, I go to grab the skillet.  Yeah, I think I may have yelled out some expletives with that one.  A quick lathering of aloe did the trick, and my hand seems to be just fine - so no worries!

And then yesterday, I was being extra productive and tried to tackle the cleaning of my pantry.  I bumped into a shelf and knocked over a jar of tomato sauce (which happened to be $8!).  So yeah, jar broke, tomato sauce everywhere.

Just not my week, I tell ya.

So times like these, simple things make me happy.  Like this tapioca, cantaloupe, and coconut milk dessert.  It's very reminiscent of something my mom used to make when I was a kid.  I'm pretty sure she put sweet potatoes and bananas in hers, but when I asked her how she made it - she couldn't even remember that it was something she made.  But I swear she made something like this!

I was on a search for tapioca pearls a couple weeks ago, and being too lazy to drive to the other side of the city to an Asian Market, I settled on granules from Whole Foods - there was an empty spot where the pearls were that said "discontinued item".  I guess tapioca isn't that popular anymore!

Ingredients:
Adapted from New Asian Cuisine's Recipe


1 & 1/2 cups water
3/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup tapioca granules (or pearls)
1/2 cup whole milk
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
2 cups cantaloupe, cubed

In a medium saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil.  Once boiling, turn the heat down to low and stir in the whole milk.  Return mixture to a boil, then turn off the heat.  Stir in the coconut milk.  Let mixture cool to room temperature and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Cook the tapioca according to the package directions and then drain.  Stir tapioca into coconut milk mixture.  Add in chopped cantaloupe.


When I was a kid, I remember this being a little bit thicker, but this version was more like a soup.  I actually liked it this way.  It was the perfect treat to sit on the back porch and read a book with.  I even brought some into work for some co-workers to try and they said it reminded them of pina coladas!  If only I lived near a beach!


Oh, and one other note.  Through the Foodbuzz Tastemaker's Program, I was able to make a Kodak Photo Book.  I got the e-mail right after we received our engagement pictures back and thought it would be the perfect way to get them printed!  I made a little "story book" of Andy and I!




 Making the photobook couldn't have been easier!  Most of the photos I uploaded from Facebook, and then the engagement pictures I just uploaded straight from my computer!  It didn't take long either.

And the process is pretty self-explanatory, as well.  The Kodak website pretty much walks you through the whole thing.  It even lets you know if the picture you chose isn't of good enough resolution for print - nothing more frustrating than seeing a picture that looks perfect on a computer screen, but then crappy when you print it off!

So as my readers, Kodak is offering you 40% off the cost of a Medium Hard Cover Or Large Photobook.  Just check out the website here!

Have a great rest of your day guys!

*As part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker's Program, I was given the opportunity to make a free Kodak Photobook.

21 comments:

  1. The photoboook is lovely :)
    Really made go "awwww ♥" :)
    I like cantaloupe, but I can't find tapioca here, so it will be only cantaloupe for me :D
    Don't get me started on breaking stuff, this month isn't my month :D

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  2. The photobook looks so lovely and beautiful. Thats a very simple and yummy dish

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  3. I say tapioca makes evrything better! I still seeing that jar of TOMATO SAUCE crashing to the floor. WOW!
    Your phtotobook is really nice.
    Rita

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  4. I love that you made that photo book! I have to say that I've never been a fan of tapioca, but this does inspire me to try to be more creative with my cantaloupe (which I actually had plain for lunch today). I've been dreaming of a cantaloupe ice cream or sorbet... :-)

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  5. Like I said, battle scars, haha. A good way to avoid that in the future (we all get distracted) is to leave a kitchen towel over the handle as a warning not to grab it. They do that in professional kitchens too :)

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  6. I love tapioca but never have it with cantaloupe. I like your photobook as well. Gotta check the website thanks:)

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  7. There are so many ups and downs in life. I'm sorry to hear about all your accidents! But looking at your photobook, it looks amazing! And this cantaloupe tapioca dessert just looks so tasty and refreshing. Must have been delicious!

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  8. i haven't had tapioca in years!! i forgot about the stuff! mmmmm i like mine with some cinnamon and a lil vanilla...

    ps. if it helps, i decided to reach into a very hot oven yesterday - burns ahoy, matey! (it's funny though, it looks like a little mini iron pressed itself into my wrist. if it didn't hurt so much it'd be adorable).

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  9. cantaloupe tapioca dessert just looks so yummmy... we make something similar in india without the cantaloupe...sorry to hear about your accident ... photobook looks amazing

    Super Yummy Recipes

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  10. Delicious dessert, yum yum.
    Your photobook look great.

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  11. This dessert is so popular over at Malaysia, then of course we do add others like yam, bananas, jelly and plenty more.

    Lovely color and so attractive it looks.

    Beautiful pics of both of you although I can only see a few in the album and will bring memories along the years for both of you.

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  12. I'm addicted to making photo books and this recipe looks refreshing.

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  13. So sorry to hear about your mishaps! Glad you had a taste of your childhood to comfort you -- this sounds delightful. Thanks for sharing glimpses of your photobook -- memories in the making!

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  14. The photobook is so nice! I've been thinking of gathering some old photos and making books for my family for Christmas. We'll see if I ever get around to it.

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  15. What a delicious looking treat. I would love to give this a try. Your photo book turned out so cute. I enjoyed making mine as well. Hoping the end of your week begins to pick up. Sending an air hug your way.

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  16. Wow.. so sweet.The photobook looks lovely :) My hubby made me a small pocket-size photobook a couple of months back. :D

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  17. Yummy - I just had a tapioca dessert similiar to this! Now I have a recipe to try. The photo book looks wonderful. I love the idea of scrap-booking, but hate the time involved. This looks like a much improved alternative for me;) Oh, I'm thinking mango when cantalope is out of season!

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  18. Love tapioca desserts, and this one look delicious with cantaloups and coconut milk.
    Your photobook looks awesome!
    Hope you are having a great week Peggy :-)

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  19. Ooooh this looks so good! My mom makes this too (sometimes she throws in taro) and at a bunch of chinese restaurants, they serve this as dessert.

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  20. I hope you're having a better week and that your hand is on the mend from that burn!

    My Mom makes a fantastic Tapioca...your tapioca with cantaloupe looks delicious and one I know I'd find comfort in (comfort food!).

    Great looking Photo Book - will look into that - thanks for sharing. :)

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  21. This is my favourite dessert! I couldn't find tapioca in the supermarket, too. It must not getting popular anymore.

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