Tapioca Pudding

Since a gal  was so kind to think of me on her luxurious vacation to the Dominican Republic by buying me a very special bottle of vanilla I had to think of the perfect recipe to try it in.  I knew to get the full bang of the taste test I wouldn't use it in baking the first time.  It was narrowed down to Rice Pudding or Tapioca Pudding.  Those recipes would allow for me to add the vanilla at the end and wouldn't cook or bake away.  Rice Pudding was ruled out because it has cinnamon and nutmeg, I was afraid they would take away from the vanilla.  Tapioca Pudding it is.  As a matter of fact I am also trying a new recipe for it.  Usually I stand at the stove 1-2 hours stirring until the tapioca is done and looks clear.  I found a recipe that uses the crock pot with NO stirring.  It has been cooking about 2 hours and looks like it is close to the next step.  Then it will cook another 45 minutes, ready to put in bowls and refrigerate.  I like either the small tapioca pearls or the large.  The large are fun, they look like fish eyes.  It was one treat when my mom made it that I spent more time playing with the fish eyes...if you are the only kid left at home you find whatever for entertainment.   Back to the vanilla.  I started getting it in Mexico many years ago, like 30 plus years or if I know someone is going it is a request I always ask.  I like the clear vanilla just because I have a few recipes that call for it.  One of these days I am going to try and make my own, looks very simple.  Toni brought me a vanilla with the consistency of oil and it is clear.  This is exciting because I have never used this kind or ever noticed it in my travels.  Speaking of travels, getting fewer and farther between.  These animals present a problem of just taking off on a spur of the moment, 

Here is the recipe I used today and the review on crockpot Tapioca Pudding and D.R. vanilla.

I will NEVER make Tapioca on the stovetop again!  This crockpot recipe is amazing!  Perfect consistency.  All I did was take a peek once in a while.  The vanilla, it is wonderful.  The minute I opened the bottle I knew it had to be good.  Thanks Toni!

Farm eggs make the pudding a beautiful creamy yellow color.
 See the little fish eyes?

Tapioca Pudding:   To celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

In a crockpot put:
6 cups of milk, 3/4 cup of sugar and 3/4 cup of tapioca, Cook covered, on high for 2-3 hours or until tapioca is clear. 
Beat 2 eggs and temper with 1 cup of the hot tapioca mixture.  Stir back in the tapioca in the crockpot and cook another 45 minutes covered.
Turn off the crockpot, stir in 2 tsp. vanilla, pour into serving bowls and refrigerate until cold.
I will NEVER make Tapioca on the stovetop again!  This crockpot recipe is amazing!  Perfect consistency.  All I did was take a peek once in a while.  The vanilla, it is wonderful.  The minute I opened the bottle I knew it had to be good.  Thanks Toni!

As I set here sipping Maple Tea I have been thinking of what a great week we had last week.  Our grandson was on spring break from college and it seemed like a spring break to us too!  We were lucky enough to go on a long hike and a short walk with Kent.  The hike was on the back hills and following the pipe line looking for deer sheds.  Before we even started I knew if a shed was found it would only be a bonus to the already loved time for a hike together.  The first time we took Kent on the same walk was when he was 3 years old.  That little guy walked every bit of the way, he didn't want carried.  Even back then he was hungry to learn about everything in the woods.  What I saw on our hike last week, he has gathered more information about those hills and animal habits.  He took us to a spot I had never been, a spring on top of the hill!  It was still partially froze but enough open water for the dogs to quench their thirst.  We had mentioned we should have brought water since not often is there a place to get drinks on top of hills.  Kent told us, I know a place there is water.  I thought, yeah, maybe after we start down out in the valley where a little spring runs.  I was wrong and surprised.  Well, we didn't find any sheds but we saw plenty of signs buck were around where we were looking.  Tucked back in the woods is a cleared spot where the PA Game Commission had planted pine trees.  I learned.....deer like to bed down around them and......buck usually lose their antlers near where they bed down.  Actually between Kent and the husband I learned a few things that day.  Do you know bear awaken by temperature change and not daylight getting longer?  Now ya know. 

That is what a buck does when he rubs a tree to mark his territory.

The secret little watering hole at the top of the hill.

Moss slowly covering a rock.  There are many rocks on top of
the hill.  It looks like an explosion just scattered them every where.

The men looking for sheds and telling stories.   Kent is always interested in what it was
like when Dick was young.  Always carry a pistol, ya never know!

Brown, gray and that beautiful blue sky.  What a color pallet.

The next day Kent rode to Rochester with us.  After my appointment which took all of 45 minutes we headed to our favorite stores, the guys Field and Stream and Dick's Sporting Goods.  They were in disbelief when I said....leave me off at Macy's.  We all got our shopping in and the next stop was at Mendon Ponds.  Even with a light rain it was worth the walk and feeding the birds.  Along a path they fly right down and eat out of your hand.  We went prepared with a bag of sunflower seeds.  The first time I was there our friends took us.  Some know Marcia and the beautiful pictures of scenery, birds and animals she took.  They are to be treasured.  Marcia was so excited the day we went, she loved sharing what she loved.  We are hooked on Mendon Ponds and will be going back.  They have a rescue bird sanctuary called, Wild Wings, it is very close to Honeoye Falls.  Unfortunately both times we have been there is the day it is closed.  One more reason to take a ride to Mendon Ponds.

Because someone does not like birds, gramp had to feed them.

There is a little wild bird setting on his hand eating.

Two different walks, the first on the Clara Hills.  Everything is still brown and gray with a few shades of green mixed in.  The pines, ferns, moss and grass around the springs are the only color to be seen.  Unless you want to include the beautiful blue skies we had last week.  What a great week to enjoy the great outdoors.  The next walk was on a groomed trail, signs telling what kind of tree was what and the do and don't rules of the park.  Both were beautiful in their own special way.  I'm just fond of good old "Wild Woods" of Clara.

The next stop was the Brewery in Honeoye Falls for an early dinner.  Lucky us we were the only ones there (always good to go between lunch and dinner hour).  The gal said, follow me you can set in front of the fireplace since it is such a damp day.  Again, perfect!  Great food, beer and my favorite, coffee.  Dick tried a couple new beers from the Great Lakes Brewing Co., liked the first but the second one not so much. 

The final stop, Wegmans.  For some reason I can not drive past one!  I  love that store, from Williamsport, Hornell, Corning and Erie I stop at them all.

The last few days have been a learning experience for me.  Yes, at 66 years old I am still learning.   I found there are many willing to "Pass it On".