Name: Vito's Taro Milk Recipe
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients: 1 cups taro root (peeled and diced); 2 cups water (for boiling taro); 3 tbs granulated sugar; 2 tbs milk powder (optional, for creaminess); 0.5 tsp vanilla extract; 2 cups whole milk (or dairy-free alternative); 0.25 cups cold water (to adjust consistency); 1 cups ice cubes; 0.5 cups tapioca pearls (optional); 2 tbs simple syrup or additional sugar (to taste)

Method

Taro Base

Prepare taro

Rinse, peel, and dice taro into roughly 1/2-inch cubes. Measure 1 cup diced taro.

Boil until tender

Place diced taro in a small pot with 2 cups water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook until taro is very tender and breaks apart with a fork, about 12–15 minutes. Drain, reserving about 2 tablespoons of the cooking liquid.

Mash or puree

While still warm, transfer cooked taro to a bowl or blender. Add granulated sugar (3 tbs), milk powder (2 tbs, if using), vanilla extract (1/2 tsp), and the reserved cooking liquid. Use an immersion blender or countertop blender to puree until very smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add up to 2 tbs (30 ml) additional warm water to reach a paste-like but pourable consistency.

Sweetness adjustment

Taste the taro paste and adjust sweetness with additional sugar or simple syrup if desired. The taro base should be mildly sweet and fragrant.

Liquid & Serving

Prepare tapioca (if using)

If using tapioca pearls, cook according to package instructions (typically boil for 5–10 minutes until chewy), then rinse under cold water and toss with a little simple syrup or sugar to prevent sticking. Measure 1/2 cup cooked pearls per 2 servings.

Assemble drink

Divide cooked tapioca (if using) between two serving glasses. Add about 3–4 tablespoons of taro paste to each glass (use more for a stronger taro flavor).

Add milk

Pour 1 cup whole milk (or dairy-free alternative) into a measuring cup and gently stir in 2 tablespoons cold water to slightly loosen. Pour 1 cup milk over the taro paste in each glass (for 2 servings total use 2 cups milk).

Mix and chill

Use a spoon or straw to stir and combine the taro paste and milk, breaking up any clumps so the taro is evenly suspended in the milk. Add ice cubes to each glass as desired (about 1/2 cup ice per glass).

Final sweetening & serve

Taste and add simple syrup or additional sugar to taste (suggested 1–2 tbs per drink). Stir again and serve immediately with a wide straw if using tapioca pearls.