Tembleque is a Puerto Rican pudding made from coconut milk that wobbles when served. It can be paired with tropical fruits, syrups, or garnishes. The manufacturing process involves making a paste from cornstarch, sugar, salt, and coconut milk, cooking it until thickened, and refrigerating it for at least 12 hours. Caution is advised due to its richness.
Tembleque is a pudding made from coconut milk and is closely associated with Puerto Rico, which is likely its place of origin. In addition to being widely served in Puerto Rico, tembleque is popular in other Latin American nations and sometimes shows up in Southeast Asian cuisine, where coconut milk is a popular ingredient. This rich dessert can be complemented with a variety of toppings and sides for added interest, and it’s easy to make at home, for cooks who want an inventive dessert to pair with a Latin American meal.
Wonderful wiggle
This pudding’s name translates to “trembling,” and it actually wobbles in a way that some people find quite delicious. Typically, tembleque is without serving mold, so people can clearly see the distinctive jiggle, though it can also be eaten straight from the mold. Particularly tall puddings almost seem to dance on the plate.
Manufacturing process
To make this pudding, a cook makes a paste from cornstarch, sugar, salt, and a small amount of coconut milk. After all the clumps of cornstarch have been smoothed out, more coconut milk is added and the tembleque is cooked over medium heat and stirred frequently until thickened. After the pudding begins to freeze, it is stirred for about a minute and then poured into one or more oiled moulds.
Most cooks like to cover their tembleque with a small piece of plastic wrap, pressed to the surface of the pudding to push all the air out. This prevents the formation of a thick skin. After it is covered, the pudding is refrigerated for at least 12 hours before being removed from the mold and served, it can be kept for several days in the fridge if needed.
Service methods
While tembleque is tasty enough on its own, it can also be paired with tropical fruits like mango and pineapple for extra flavor. Some cooks also season it with flavored syrups, creating visual interest and a more dynamic flavor. Tembleque can also be garnished with mint, chocolate, fresh berries or whipped cream.
Caution is advised when eating tembleque. This pudding is extremely rich, thanks to the coconut milk, and the rich flavor may be shaken by some people. Small portions are highly recommended and some people may be advised to pause before entering for a few seconds, to wait and see if the pudding was more filling than expected.
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