Banana Tapioca Che Chuoi Recipes

BANANA TAPIOCA (CHE CHUOI)

Steps:

• Peel the bananas. Cut them in half horizontally. Cut each piece in half again, vertically. Each banana makes four long pieces. Set aside.
• Prepare the tapioca pearls. Bring 10 cups of water to a boil in a big pot. Add the tapioca pearls to the boiling water (use one hand to pour in the tapioca and the other hand to swirl the water around with a wooden spoon - this keeps the tapioca from clumping together as it cooks). Put a lid on the pot and turn the heat to low. Cook for 10 minutes. You can tell it is done when the tapioca pearls are nearly translucent and you can just see a tiny white dot in the center of each pearl. Don't overcook, or the tapioca will completely melt.
• Strain the tapioca under cold running water. This will stop the cooking and remove excess starch (which makes the tapioca pearls stick together). Set aside and let drain.
• Prepare the tapioca sticks (bot khoai), if using. Bring 5 cups of water to a boil (rinse and reuse the pot you used to cook the tapioca pearls). Add the tapioca sticks to the boiling water and cook over medium heat for 12 minutes. They are finished they are completely translucent. Do not overcook. Strain under cold running water. Set aside and let drain.
• Rinse out the big pot, then add 2 cups of water, the drained tapioca pearls and tapioca sticks (if using). Bring to a gentle boil. Add the sugar and ½ teaspoon salt. Turn the heat to medium. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the coconut milk (don't let the coconut milk boil). Stir to gently mix. Then add the sliced apple bananas. Simmer for a few more minutes to warm the bananas. Turn off the stove.
• Prepare the salted peanut topping: grind ¼ cup peanuts and ½ teaspoon salt in a food processor. Pour into a small bowl and set aside.
• Spoon the finished banana tapioca into bowls, sprinkle the peanut-salt mixture on top, and eat! It's wonderful hot from the pot. And even better when chilled. Enjoy ^_^

SWEET BANANA AND COCONUT MILK SOUP: CHE CHUOI

Steps:

• Bring the coconut milk and 1 cup water to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, stir in the tapioca pearls, sugar, and salt, and cook until tapioca pearls are translucent, about 30 minutes. Add banana or fresh corn kernels and cook for 10 minutes more.
• Divide among 4 bowls, garnish each with a sprinkle or 2 of sesame seeds, and serve hot, at room temperature, or chilled.