Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- ½ cup tapioca pearls
- 2 cups mangoes, diced
- 1 (10.5 ounce) package Nata de Coco (coconut gel), drained
- 1 (14 ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
- 1 cup half and half
- ¾ to 1 cup sweetened condensed milk (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Cook the Tapioca Pearls: In a saucepan, add 4 cups of water and the tapioca pearls. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Cook for 8-10 minutes, lowering the heat if the water starts boiling too rapidly. Once cooked, remove from heat and cover to let the tapioca rest and soften for 10 minutes.
- Prepare the Mangoes: While the tapioca is resting, peel the mangoes using a peeler. Remove the smooth flesh and dice into small cubes.
- Drain and Rinse Tapioca: Drain the cooked tapioca pearls in a strainer. Rinse under cold running water until the pearls cool to room temperature and most excess starch is washed away. This process helps the pearls to maintain their shape and texture.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the drained coconut gel, cooled tapioca pearls, ¾ cup of coconut milk, half and half, and ¾ cup of condensed milk. Stir well to combine. Taste and add 1-4 more tablespoons of condensed milk if additional sweetness is desired. Finally, fold in the diced mango pieces gently.
- Chill and Thicken: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably 6 to 8 hours, to allow the mango bango to thicken and the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Once chilled and thickened, serve the Mango Bango in bowls or dessert glasses. Enjoy this cool, creamy tropical dessert!
Notes
- Use small tapioca pearls for best texture in this dessert.
- Rinsing the tapioca after cooking removes excess starch, preventing the pearls from sticking together.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of condensed milk according to your preference.
- For a richer flavor, full-fat coconut milk is recommended, but light coconut milk can be used for a lighter dessert.
- This dessert tastes best when well chilled, so plan to refrigerate overnight if possible.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Filipino
- Diet: Vegetarian