Old Fashioned Tapioca Pudding

I bought of tub of Tapioca pudding at Trader Joes and found out that my husband really really loves tapioca pudding. (really, I hardly got any) Since I don't have a TJ's near me, I went searching for a really good tapioca recipe, one that didn't use quick cooking tapioca. This one is delicious! We serve ours cold topped with a little fresh whipped cream. I found the tapioca pearls in the bulk section of my health foods store. Note that the tapioca pearls must soak overnight before you can prepare the pudding.

• Ready In: 13 hrs
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup pearl tapioca
• 1 1⁄2 cups milk
• 1 1⁄2 cups heavy cream
• 1  fresh vanilla bean
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1  pinch salt
• 2  egg yolks

Directions

1. Soak the pearls in water overnight, covered well with water. Drain the water off.
2. Heat the milk, cream, vanilla bean (split and scraped), and tapioca to a slow simmer in a heavy pot and cook for 1 hour, stirring often.
3. Add the sugar and salt. Bring to a simmer being careful not to let the tapioca stick to the bottom of the pan.
4. Put the yolks into a bowl and stir in some of the tapioca mixture to temper the eggs.
5. Then add yolks to the pan while stirring. Pour into a bowl and cool.
6. You can it it warm (as I hear it is often served in the colder months) We like ours after it has chilled several hours in the fridge at any time of year.