Red Grout Dessert is a traditional US Virgin Islands recipe for a classic dessert of guava, sago, raisins and prunes coloured red with prickly pear juice that's often served for Christmas. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic US Virgin Islands version of: Red Grout Dessert.
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Prickly pear fruit was the traditional way of creating the red colouring for this dessert. Of course, in modern times you can substitute red food colouring.
Ingredients:
2 ripe prickly pear fruit (or 1/8 teaspoon red food colouring)
1l water
6-8 firm ripe guavas
100g sugar (optional)
120g sago or quick-cooking tapioca
80g raisins
60g prunes, pitted
Pinch of salt
Method:
Prepare the prickly pear fruit by rubbing off all spines. Cut open and place in pan. Pour 250ml boiling water over the fruit and allow to steep for several minutes. Squeeze all the excess liquid from fruit, strain well, and set liquid aside for use in colouring the dessert later. Remove the stems from the guavas and cut the fruit into pieces. Bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes over medium heat with enough water to cover, adding sugar if desired. Take off the heat and strain, reserving the liquid and discarding the pulp and seeds.
Place the pan back over low heat, adding sago or tapioca and stirring vigorously to prevent lumping, then continue to cook until the grains are crystal clear. Add raisins, prunes, and salt, stir well, and cook for 5 minutes longer. Add prickly pear liquid or red colouring, pour into a mould, and chill. Serve with cream sauce.
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