Maja Blanca (Coconut Pudding)

½ cup water

½ cup cornstarch

1 cup coconut milk

¾ cup water

½ cup white sugar

¼ cup fresh sweet corn kernels

¼ cup sweetened flaked coconut

Butter an 8-inch baking dish or pie pan, and set aside. Mix 1/2 cup of water with the cornstarch in a bowl, and stir until smooth.

Combine the coconut milk, 3/4 cup of water, and sugar in a saucepan over low heat, and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Bring the mixture to a boil, add the corn kernels, and then stir in the cornstarch mixture, stirring quickly to avoid lumps as it becomes very thick. Bring the mixture back to a boil, and simmer until fully thickened and smooth, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Pour the maja blanca into the prepared dish, and set aside to cool until firm, about 2 hours.

Place the coconut flakes in a dry skillet over medium heat, and stir to toast. Watch them carefully so they don t burn. Remove the toasted coconut flakes to a bowl, let cool, and sprinkle over the pudding before serving.