Today is Day 19 of the Thug Kitchen Challenge and today I am reviewing the Thug Kitchen Peachy Almond Tapioca Pudding. This is found in page 189 of the Thug Kitchen Original Cookbook. I was very curious about this one. Peaches? Tapioca? Together, with almond milk. Seems very strange. I wanted to pick a dessert that wasn’t made of chocolate to see if it would hold up to the test. Last week’s chocolate cookies were so good I don’t know if another dessert could top it! Mind you, having pudding in little containers for throughout the week always makes my heart sing. This is a prep week must, as that way it can sit and get ready in your fridge overnight. Let’s see how it holds up in my review 🙂
At First Glance
Ingredients wise, there was seven ingredients. Most are easy to find, however peaches are best found during the summer months. Tapioca was a tad difficult to find, so I would look in an asian supermarket if you have one nearby. Cost wise, these ingredients were not too bad, however like I said the peaches are cheapest in season. I’m sure you could opt for another fruit depending on what you have around. You have to juice the fruit so you may just want to opt for something pre-juiced.
What I found a bit frustrating was the time it took to make. The directions said to cook for 8-10 minutes with the tapioca pearls until it starts to thicken like gravy. You have to stir constantly as well. I found it to be more like nursing a risotto. My cooking partner and I took turns stirring for about 30 minutes! Not what I had in mind.
The Taste Test
You can imagine after all the cooking, I wanted to taste it right away. But it says you have to wait. Argh! However, when I finally did taste it I found it a bit strange. I wouldn’t say it was bad, but it definitely had competing elements. Tapioca I find is an acquired taste, as it’s an interesting texture. I usually don’t mind the texture, but found it was strange with a peach and almond flavour. I probably wouldn’t have added almond milk, or used banana instead of peach. I don’t really find peach and almond milk to go well together. I think it had a pretty great appearance though, especially with the blueberries on top. So I will give it that! It also keeps well in the fridge, for several days in fact. So it wasn’t all mediocre.
Final Verdict
This is the first recipe in this review that I would say I wouldn’t make this again. I didn’t think it was horrible but after myself and two other friends tested it, we both decided there was too much going on. Peaches are great, but peach mixed with tapioca is just weird. I wanted to give this one a good shot, as it seemed too good to be true. But I think this is one of Thug Kitchen’s less appealing recipes.
I would love to hear what you think, if you have any ideas on how to make it better or if you disagreed with me.
