Tapioca Pie

My new favorite dessert

One cup water, 1/2 cup small pearl tapioca (not instant), 2 1/2 cups whole milk, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 2 large eggs plus 1 egg for brushing the gram cracker crust (not shown), 1/2 cup granulated sugar (use your favorite), 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 large Graham Cracker Crust, 1 1/2-quart pan, measuring cup, wire wisk or spoon or fork for mixing, brush, cooling rack, medium sized mixing bowl. The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. I use almond extract.

Cook Time: 10 Minutes, Stand Time: 45 Minutes, Cooling: Overnight.

Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Open the crust package. Save the plastic cover, it makes a great lid for the pie. Wisk the egg in bowl and brush it all over the crust (only brush on what you need, there may be some left over for a scrambled egg sandwich but that is another story)

Place the crust in the oven for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. The crust should be cool before adding tapioca.

Place the 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup tapioca in a 1 1/2-quart pan. Let stand for 30 minutes until the pearls are plump and have absorbed the water.

Turn on the heat to medium-high. Pour in the milk and salt. Stir while bringing to a bare simmer.

Reduce the heat to very low, add in the sugar and cook, uncovered, stirring frequently (so the tapioca doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan). until the tapioca pearls have plumped and thickened, about 5 minutes.

In a separate bowl, beat the 2 eggs. Slowly wisk in about 1/2 cup of the hot tapioca (this equalizes the temperature between the two mixtures to avoid curdling.)

Pour the egg mixture into the pot with the rest of the tapioca. Increase heat to medium and stir for several minutes until you get a thick pudding consistency. Do not let the mixture boil!

Take the pan off the heat and let stand for 15 minutes.

Stir in the vanilla or almond extract.

Place the filled crust on the cooling rack. Let stand till the bottom is cool to the touch. Place the plastic lid over the top of the pie and fold the aluminum pan edges over the edge of the lid to hold it in place. Place in refrigerator over night.