Gluten-free Che (Vietnamese sweet soup): A festive treat for Christmas

Sweet soup, or Chè in Vietnamese, is a traditional dessert with countless variations. A true symbol of sharing and conviviality, it's a perfect addition to any festive table. At Christmas, it brings a touch of exoticism and sweetness, while also being suitable for gluten-free diets. Made with coconut milk, tapioca pearls, and a variety of ingredients such as mung beans, sweet potato, or tropical fruits, Chè delights with its delicate flavors and smooth texture. Here, I offer you the recipe for Chè Chuoi, with banana. Discover how to prepare this comforting dessert.

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Total time 30 minutes

Difficulty: Beginner

Servings: 6

Special diet: naturally gluten-free

Ingredients

100g of tapioca pearls - free)
400 ml of coconut milk
100g and cut into small cubes
1 ripe banana
100g of cane sugar
1 pinch of salt
1 liter of water
1 tbsp sesame seeds and roasted peanuts (for garnish)

Preparation

1
Cook the sweet potato cubes in a saucepan of boiling water until tender. Drain and set aside.
2
Cooking tapioca pearls: Cook as directed on the package. Alternatively, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before cooking. Bring 1 liter of water to a boil in a saucepan. Add the tapioca pearls and cook over medium heat, stirring regularly to prevent sticking.
3
When the pearls become translucent (about 5 minutes), drain them and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
4
Preparing Chè: In a saucepan, combine coconut milk, cooked sweet potato, and sugar. Add a pinch of salt to balance the flavors. Heat over low heat until the mixture is hot and slightly thickened. Stir regularly to prevent the coconut milk from sticking to the bottom.
5
Adding the fruit and tapioca pearls: Add the tapioca pearls and banana pieces to the pan. Cook for another 5 minutes to blend the flavors well.
6
Serving suggestion: Serve hot in small individual bowls. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and roasted peanuts for a crunchy touch.

Note

The traditional recipe includes mung beans but I didn't use them, I preferred sweet potato, which is also often used.

You can add fruits such as mango, lychee or pineapple.

For a refreshing dessert, you can add ice cubes.

Keywords: Vietnamese che choi recipe, gluten-free Vietnamese dessert recipe, tapioca pearl recipe