Ahu Sweet Coconut Soup

Tapioca is native to South and Central America, Africa, the West Indies and parts of India and Asia. Tapioca is an essentially flavorless starchy ingredient produced from treated and dried cassava (manioc) root and used in cooking. It is similar to sago and is commonly used to make a milky pudding similar to rice pudding. Purchased tapioca is comprised of many small white spheres each about 2 mm in diameter. These are not seeds, but rather reconstituted processed root. The processing concept is akin to the way that wheat is turned into pasta. Tapioca has been considered a healthy food because, as a starch, it is easy to digest.

Ingredients

2 cups fresh grated coconut
3 cups sweet coconut juice
½ cup white sugar
½ cup tapioca starch mixed with water
1 sprig fresh cilantro

Cooking Steps:

In a non-stick stock pot combine sugar, water and coconut juice.
Bring to a boil.
In a separate mixing bowl, combine coconut meat and tapioca starch, add some water and mix until it becomes a lumpy batter.
Slowly add to boiling liquid and stir vigorously.
Bring to a second boil and serve.
It should be consistency of chowder.
Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot or warm.

Excerpted from Healing & Easy Eats: Recipes for Head and Neck Cancer Patients and Survivors (Second Edition), the official cookbook of the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance. Copyright © 2018. Available online now!

Ahu Sweet Coconut Soup