I love and adore this sweet coconut tapioca dessert known as nab vam in Hmong. It definitely is a childhood favorite, but also a must-have treat during the Hmong New Year or any Hmong parties that you attend. ( Of course, before COVID).
This delicious tapioca dessert can be made in many different ways, with all sorts of ingredients including cendol, water chestnuts, jackfruit, coconut gel cubes, fresh coconut, and even sometimes black beans. But for our post, I’m showing you the simplest version of this dessert. It’s just three ingredients if you don’t include the water and food coloring. But I feel that it still captures the true identity of this dessert.
There are three main ingredients: Tapioca pearls, coconut cream and sugar.
You want to boil the tapioca pearls until they become translucent. Drain the hot water and rinse the tapioca through cold water to stop the cooking process.
Separate the tapioca pearls into two different bowls. Add 1-2 drops of food coloring to each bowl (red for one and green for the other) and mix until the tapioca pearls are the desired color. This is only a suggestion and it’s really up to you on what color you like or you can opt-out and not color the pearls.
Once colored, add cold water to the pearls to keep them from sticking to each other.
How to make a simple syrup.
- Add sugar to a saucepan.
- Place on medium heat and don’t walk away from the pot. Sugar will start melting and clump together. Every now and then give the sugar a stir.
- Once the sugar has melted and turned into a beautiful amber color CAREFULLY pour in water. It will start to boil violently, but stay calm and just let the water melt the sugar.
- At this point, allow the syrup to boil for another 2-4 minutes or until the syrup is smooth.
- Then turn off the heat and allow the syrup to cool down.
Putting together the sweet coconut tapioca dessert.
Add your tapioca pearls to a cup or bowl, along with the coconut cream and syrup, mix and enjoy.
Sweet Coconut Tapioca Dessert - Nab Vam
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Loading...This sweet coconut tapioca dessert is simple to make with only a few ingredients. The coconut cream and simple syrup harmonize perfectly with the dainty tapioca pearls that will swish in your mouth. It's definitely an experience you'll never forget. We hope you give it a try.
Ingredients
- Tapioca Pearls
- 2 cups of tapioca pearls
- 10 cups of water
- red and green food coloring
- Simple Sugar
- 2 cups of sugar
- 2 cups of water
- Other
- 13.5 Fl oz. coconut cream
Instructions
Tapioca Pearls
Bring water to boil in a medium-size pot over medium-high heat.
Once water is rapidly boiling add the tapioca pearls and stir to prevent the pearls from sticking to each other. Cook for about 10-12 minutes or until the pearls are translucent.
Now drain the tapioca pearls into a strainer and run under cold water for 30 seconds to stop the cooking process.
Divide the pearls equally into 2-3 different containers. ( depending on how many colors you want). Add 1-2 drops of food coloring to the tapioca pearls and mix. Add 1 1/2 cups of cold water and set aside.
Simple Syrup
Add sugar to a pot and put on the stovetop at medium heat.
Using a heat-proof spoon, make sure to give the sugar a stir every now and then to help the sugar melt evenly. The sugar doesn't need to be constantly stirred.
Once the sugar has completely melted, CAREFULLY add the water. Make sure you are not directly over your pot. Once you have poured the water, the syrup will boil violently. It's OK. Just stand back and let the water do its magic.
After 2-4 minutes, the water and sugar will turn into nice amber color, turn off the heat and set it aside to cool down
Assembling the dessert * These are just suggested measurements. You can add as much or as little of each ingredient to your liking.
Take the tapioca dessert and layer them in a cup or bowl. About 1/4 cup of each color.
Add the coconut milk, another 2-3 tablespoons.
And add the syrup (start with 2-3 tablespoons) to the cup or bowl and mix until well combined. Enjoy
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