Egg, Dairy, Gluten & Soy-free Frog Eye Salad

Since her allergies were diagnosed, my granddaughter has missed out on many of our Christmas favorites, but this Christmas was so happy to see food she could still enjoy that she burst into tears, not exactly the response I was hoping to see.  It's a pain in the derriere to make, but well worth the effort.

I've broken the recipe up into days, which makes it a lot easier, since several steps require refrigeration.  

Day 1

1/2 C pearl tapioca

1 C water

3 T sugar

Bring 3 C of water to a rolling boil.  Add tapioca pearls, bring to a boil again, then reduce heat to medium.  Cover and stir occasionally for 15 minutes.  Pour into a wire sieve and gently rinse under warm water.  Add 3 T sugar to a cup of warm water and add rinsed tapioca.  Refrigerate overnight.  By morning there will be approximately 3 C of plump tapioca pearls.

Day 2

Two 20-ounce cans of pineapple tidbits - drain, save juice and refrigerate for later.

1/2 C warm water

1/2 tsp xanthan powder - water & xanthan replaces two eggs

Saved pineapple juice

1 T lemon juice

2 1/2 T corn starch

1 1/2 C powdered sugar

3/4 tsp salt

Combine 1/2 C warm water and 1/2 tsp xanthan powder in small dish and mix thoroughly.  Set aside.  Combine saved pineapple juice, lemon juice, sugar, cornstarch and salt in a 2-quart pan.  Stirring constantly, bring mixture to a boil, then remove from heat.  Add xanthan/water mixture and stir thoroughly.  Add pineapple.  Cool and then add to tapioca mix.  Chill thoroughly, overnight is best.

6 oz Almond Breeze Extra Creamy almond milk

2 T coconut oil

4 T powdered sugar

1T cornstarch

3/4 tsp xanthan powder

1 tsp vanilla

Combine almond milk, coconut oil, 4T sugar, and cornstarch.  Sitr over medium heat until slightly thickened.  Beat 3/4 tsp xanthan powder into warm almond milk mixture.  Stir in vanilla.  Refrigerate overnight.  

Day 3

Chill bowl and beaters for ten minutes.  Whip cold almond milk mixture for two minutes.

4 C miniature mini marshmallows - 10 oz bag

16 oz Mandarin oranges in light syrup - drained

15 oz maraschino cherries - about 15, rinsed, drained and cut in half

Nutmeg to sprinkle on top - optional

Gently combine the tapioca/pineapple pudding mixture with the whipped almond milk mixture.  Refrigerate until nearly serving time.  Add marshmallows and gently stir.  Gently fold oranges and cherries into the combined mixture.  When you're ready to serve, sprinkle a little nutmeg on top.  (The reason I wait until the end to add the cherries, is they like to color everything around them.)