Simple yet sumptuous desserts like this one — where readily available ingredients such as bananas or yams are cooked in sweet coconut milk — are a specialty of Malay cooking. The pudding is traditionally made with pearl sago and palm sugar.

　　

Ingredients

Makes 6 servings

　　1 tablespoon small pearl tapioca (not quick-cooking)

　　a 14-ounce can light unsweetened coconut milk

　　2 tablespoons coarsely chopped crystallized ginger

　　1/3 cup sugar

　　3 firm-ripe bananas

　　Garnish if desired: 1 tablespoon chopped crystallized ginger

　　

Step 1

In a small bowl soften tapioca in warm water to cover 1 hour.

　　

Step 2

While tapioca is soaking, in a small saucepan cook coconut milk, ginger, and sugar over moderate heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Remove pan from heat and let mixture stand 10 minutes.

　　

Step 3

Drain tapioca. Peel bananas and quarter lengthwise. Cut quarters into 1/2-inch pieces.

　　

Step 4

Heat coconut milk mixture over low heat and gently stir in tapioca and bananas. Cook pudding, stirring (be careful not to break up bananas), until thickened slightly and bananas are heated through, about 5 minutes, and cool. Divide pudding among six 1/8-cup ramekins and chill, covered, until cold.

　　

Step 5

Garnish pudding with crystallized ginger.