Pond Scum Pudding a Halloween Classic

Take a close look at this photograph and tell me what you think it is.

Here is another photograph of the same thing only at a different stage.  

It looks a bit oozy and icky doesn't it?  The sort of thing you find on the edges of ponds.  Maybe it's frog's eggs?  What if I tell you it is the main ingredient in our last Halloween treat recipe!  

Yeap, we are going to make the ever popular Pond Scum Pudding!  What do you mean you don't want to make Pond Scum Pudding?  Look at all those sticky, icky eggs floating in that oozing froth....yum! 

OK, ok,  don't freak out.  It's not real pond scum it's tapioca pudding.  Did you say you'd rather eat pond scum?  It's not like that stuff that comes out of a can...  or like the tapioca we used to get in the school lunch room.  It's nice....Really!

If you don't want to try it, I understand.  But I am going to give you the recipe anyway.  Think about it, you might really like it.  At least you could make it for the kids and watch them FREAK OUT!   Now that would be a real treat!

Old Fashioned Tapioca Pudding

1/3 cup pearl tapioca
3 cups milk
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs - separated
1 teaspoon vanilla

In a large saucepan soak the tapioca in 1 cup milk for one hour. Then mix in the sugar, egg yolks, salt and the remaining 2 cups of milk.  Cook over a  low heat, stirring constantly until the custard is thick and the tapioca is translucent.  Take your time and cook the tapioca properly. 

Remove the pan from the heat.  Stir in the vanilla and set the saucepan to one side while you prepare the egg whites. Beat the two egg whites until they are thick, fluffy and hold soft peaks.  Fold the beaten egg whites into the hot tapioca pudding.  

The pudding should have a light, almost mousse-like texture.  I like it slightly warm but it is lovely served chilled, too.  


So there you have it, Pond Scum Pudding or Tapioca Pudding, which ever you find most frightening!   I hope you have a safe and Happy Halloween!