No Fluff Tapioca Pudding - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 cups milk, -divided (I used half ff milk and half ff half and half)
1/3 cup small pearl tapioca (not instant)
1 egg (lightly beaten)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup sugar (its plenty sweet, could use less)
1 vanilla beans, split or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 dash nutmeg (optional)
1 dash cinnamon (optional)

Preparation

In a heavy bottomed sauce pan combine 1 cup milk with tapioca pearls; let soak for at least 30 minutes.
After soaking is done, whisk in egg, salt, sugar and remaining milk and vanilla bean (if using) scraping the paste with a knife and throw in the pod (if using vanilla extract add at the very end after pudding is complete).
Over medium heat bring mixture barely to a boil (about 15 minutes) stirring constantly. Be very careful to keep stirring so not to scorch it. If it scorches it's no good, throw out and start over.
When boiling reduce heat and let mixture fall to a simmer. Continue stirring until the tapioca is fully cooked and the pudding is thickened. This could take 20 to 45 minutes--watch your tapioca it will tell you when it is done. It will swell up and become almost entirely translucent. Taste often for doneness. I like my tapioca a little chewy.
When finished remove from heat and add vanilla extract if using. Also if using the cinnamon/nutmeg add now, let cool a bit and enjoy.
This is best served warm, but good cold too.