Coconut Tapioca Pudding

This is a pudding so delicious that one of my tasters described it as a "Mounds bar on Ecstasy."  And it literally took me 90 seconds to prepare.  But there's a small catch. The key ingredient in this dessert -- a coconut powder -- must be ordered.  From Hawaii.

The packaging of this coconut powder looks slick enough to be part of the Kraft Foods family, yet it's a product produced by a Kauai family who sell it at farmer's markets on the island.  In fact, the telephone number on the package is the owner's personal cell phone!

Above, at right, is Barbara Oki, whose restaurant on Kauai served the famous Oki pancakes until it closed recently.  Barbara then developed this coconut powder, which is sold by her, along with her son and daughter-in-law.  I bought three packages from Barbara, a very enthusiastic salesperson who created the recipes. She insisted that I call her cell phone (the number listed on the package) should I have any questions while making the tapioca pudding.

This pudding calls for Minute tapioca, a more processed product than regular pearl tapioca, and one that avoids the "fish eyes" texture of the traditional.

I actually made this twice, first for our excellent house painters Bruce and David, below, but forgot to take pictures, and later for some folks at work.  (If you need fabulous painters, I'll send you their numbers.)

The coconut powder was originally developed to make coconut syrup, used in Hawaii in place of maple syrup on pancakes, etc.  It is fantastic. But, if you check Barbara's website, you'll see that there are many delicious desserts that use the powder.  Below is the one I used.

Haupia Tapioca Pudding (Updated)

1. Bring 3 cups of water to a boil (Use bottled or purified water for best results).
2. Add 4 Tbs. (Level Tbs.) of Tapioca (Kraft Minute Tapioca) dry mix to boiling water.
3. Stir tapioca for 1 minute (water boiling).
4. Whisk while adding entire package of coconut syrup powder mix to boiling water.
5. Whisk vigorously and allow pudding to thicken (20 to 30 Seconds).
6. Remove pot from stove and continue to whisk until mixture is smooth (Pudding thickens as it cools).
7. Pour into a large serving bowl. Refrigerate after it cools (Stir before serving).