Old-Fashioned Tapioca Pudding

Ingredients

• 2 large eggs lightly beaten
• 2.3 cups milk 2% reduced-fat
• 0.3 teaspoon salt 
• 0.3 cup sugar 
• 0.3 cup pearl tapioca uncooked
• 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 0.8 cup water 

Equipment

• bowl
• frying pan
• sauce pan
• whisk
• plastic wrap

Directions

1. Combine 3/4 cup water and tapioca in a medium saucepan; let stand 30 minutes.
2. Add milk and salt to tapioca mixture; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 30 minutes or until mixture thickens, stirring frequently.
3. Combine sugar and eggs, stirring well with a whisk. Gradually stir about 1/2 cup hot tapioca mixture into egg mixture. Return tapioca mixture to pan. Cook 4 minutes or until thickened, stirring constantly.
4. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Spoon pudding into a bowl.
5. Place bowl in a large ice-filled bowl; let stand 15 minutes or until pudding is cool, stirring occasionally. Cover surface of pudding with plastic wrap. Chill.
6. Garnish with grated nutmeg, if desired.