Tapioca Pudding

This recipe is amazing, and is no comparison to instant tapioca pudding. In fact, we rarely wait for it to chill before it's devoured. Dave used to make this for me when we were dating ... perhaps that was why I fell in love with him ...


Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 ounces small pearl tapioca
• 2 cups cold water
• 2 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/3 cup sugar
  
• 1 lemon, zested
• Pinch salt

Directions:

Place tapioca in a medium mixing bowl along with the water, cover, and let stand overnight.

Drain water from tapioca. Place the tapioca into a slow cooker along with the milk, heavy cream, and salt. Cook on high for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and sugar. Temper small amounts of the tapioca into the egg mixture until you have added at least 1 cup. Then add this back into the remaining tapioca in the slow cooker. Add the lemon zest and stir to combine. Cook for an additional 15 minutes, stirring at least once. Transfer the pudding to a bowl and cover the surface with plastic wrap. Allow to cool at room temperature for 1 hour and then place in the refrigerator until thoroughly chilled.

Recipe adapted from Alton Brown, Foodnetwork.com