Tapioca is a starch extracted from cassava root.   It is a staple food fo millions of people in tropical countries but does not have much nutritional value and is low in food energy.  In developed countries it is used as a thickening agent.  You can buy tapioca in any asian grocery store.  You can buy ready to use tapioca pudding in any grocery store. 

Serves 10

Ingredients

• 2                   cans pineapple crushed or Tidbits(398 ml)
• 1/2                cup sugar(or to taste)
• 2                   cups homo milk or half and half
• 1                   tbsp custard powder
• 1/2                cup tapioca
• 2                   cups water
• 1                   pkt frozen young coconut(thawed)
• 1                   can coconut milk
• 1                   cans evaporated milk

Instructions

1. Drain the pineapple and put it in a medium size saucepan.  Add the sugar and cook it on med-hot heat stirring occasionally  till the liquid evaporates and the pineapple has caramelized.  It will change colour to light gold, about 15 minutes.
2. Heat 2 cups of milk in the microwave.  Mix the custard powder in a 1/4 cup milk, add this to the hot milk, mix and microwave for 2 1/2 minutes.  Stir it and microwave again for 2 1/2 minutes.  The custard should be thick.
3. Mix the tapioca in 2 cups hot water and coconut milk.  Microwave for 5 minutes, mix and microwave for another five minuts5 minutes.
4. In a large bowl mix the pineapple, custard, tapioca, young coconut and evaporated milk and refrigerate for 5 hours or overnight.
5. Serve it cold sprinkles with nuts.
6. Note: You can substitute 2 cans tapioca pudding for tapioca and evaporated milk.