FRUIT-ON-THE-BOTTOM TAPIOCA PUDDING

Fruit-on-the-Bottom Tapioca Pudding image

Provided by Ian Knauer

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups water
1/3 cup small tapioca pearls
1 cup heavy cream
6 tablespoons sugar, divided
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 quart strawberries, trimmed and coarsely chopped
Equipment: an electric coffee/spice grinder or a mortar and pestle

Steps:

Bring water to a boil in a 1-quart heavy saucepan. Whisk in tapioca and simmer, uncovered, whisking occasionally, until tapioca is mostly opaque, about 15 minutes. Whisk in cream, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1/8 teaspoon salt and simmer, uncovered, whisking occasionally, until tapioca is cooked through, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a metal bowl and cool completely in an ice bath, stirring frequently, 5 to 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, grind fennel seeds in grinder. Pulse strawberries in a food processor with fennel and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar until coarsely puréed. Divide among (6-ounce) glasses.
Spoon tapioca over strawberries. Chill until cold, about 15 minutes.