Coconut and Banana Tapioca Soup (East Meets West- Year Three: Volume 3; July, 2012)

Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Ready in: 1 hour
Serves: 6

Ingredients:
6 ripe bananas- peeled, cut crosswise into thirds
2 tsp. salt
6 c. + 3 T. water
3/4 c. pearl tapioca
2/3 c. sugar
1 T. cornstarch
1 (13.5 oz.) can coconut milk

Directions:
- Place bananas and 1/2 tsp. salt in a large bowl with enough water to cover
- Set aside
- In a saucepan over high heat, bring 6 c. water to a boil
- Add tapioca and reduce heat to low
- Simmer until the pearls are clear, about 10 min
- Add sugar and remaining salt
- Stir to dissolve
- In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch with 3 T. water
- Stir dissolved cornstarch into tapioca until liquid is slightly thickened, about 2- 3 min
- Drain bananas and add to tapioca
- Add coconut milk
- Cook over medium heat until bananas are tender but firm, about 5 min
- Remove pan from heat and divide bananas and liquid evenly amove individual bowls to serve