Asian Recipes/ Dessert/ Recipes/ Valentine's Day/ Vegan
17/09/2020
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Sago pudding is so light and refreshing, we love the tropical flavours and chewy texture of the sago pearls. It’s a gorgeous dessert that tastes amazing, the perfect end to a delicious meal!
![Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango (1) Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango (1)](https://i0.wp.com/www.wandercooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/coconut-mango-sago-pudding-recipe-1.jpg)
Why We Love This
Do you ever love a food so much that before you know it, you’ve made up a theme song for it?Well, let us introduce you to our much beloved… 🎶 co-co-nut SAgooooooooo 🎶
This is such an easy dessert recipe we turn to when we start craving a sweet treat after dinner. You don’t need to be prepared super well in advance, so you can even make it on a weeknight! All you need is a few basic ingredients that we often have in our pantry, ready to be crafted into a sweetly delicious and innocent looking dessert.
You can also make sago pudding in advance when you have guests coming around and know you’ll be strapped for time in the kitchen. Just pull them out of the fridge and watch everyone’s eyes light up in delight!
![Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango (2) Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango (2)](https://i0.wp.com/www.wandercooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/coconut-mango-sago-pudding-recipe-2.jpg)
What is Sago Pudding?
This is a sweet Asian dessert recipe made from chewy sago pearls stewed into a pudding with coconut cream and sugar, topped with fruit. It’s super popular across Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore & Thailand) and mainland China.
The concept is similar to other sweet no-bake desserts like Vanilla Blanc Manger or Japanese Purin (which is itself similar to creme brulee) in that it’s a set dessert usually intended to be served cold.
Although – sometimes we just can’t help ourselves and will start eating even before the sago puddings are cold!
Sago vs Tapioca
Sago pearls are small white balls of starch extracted from sago palm stems. They have a similar look, taste and feel to tapioca pearls, and are often used in similar ways, but tapioca is actually made from cassava roots. You might have already come across them as the deliciously chewy balls in the bottom of bubble tea!
What You’ll Need
Just a handful of ingredients for this one. Most can be bought from regular supermarkets but you might need to head to an Asian grocer for sago pearls (or grab them online).
- Sago Pearls – We prefer to use the small white sago pearls (sometimes called sago seeds). You can sometimes find these in different colours or flavours, but we like the unflavoured white ones so we can add our own flavour. You can use large pearls or tapioca pearls if you prefer or if that’s all you can find.
- Coconut Cream – We use coconut cream, but you can also use coconut milk which is a bit thinner in texture. Both have a deliciously rich coconut flavour.
- Mango – You can use fresh or tinned mango slices depending on your preference. We actually love using tinned fruit that comes with its own syrup, it adds extra sweetness to your topping!
Sago Pudding Topping Ideas
Some of the more traditional toppings include mango, passionfruit syrup or banana. But you could also try smashed berries, homemade berry coulis or sweet ginger syrup. Yum!
How to make Recipe:
![Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango (3) Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango (3)](https://i0.wp.com/www.wandercooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/sago-pudding-1.jpg)
![Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango (4) Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango (4)](https://i0.wp.com/www.wandercooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/sago-pudding-2.jpg)
![Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango (5) Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango (5)](https://i0.wp.com/www.wandercooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/sago-pudding-3.jpg)
- In a medium saucepan, pour in your sago, coconut cream and water and allow to sit for 30 minutes.
- Place sago on medium heat and stir continuously to avoid sticking. The sago should cook through and become sticky in around 5-10 minutes.
- Remove sago from the heat and add in your sugar, stirring through.
![Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango (6) Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango (6)](https://i0.wp.com/www.wandercooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/sago-pudding-4.jpg)
![Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango (7) Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango (7)](https://i0.wp.com/www.wandercooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/sago-pudding-5.jpg)
- Spoon mixture into dessert glasses and allow to cool.
- Top with mango, desiccated coconut and mint, then chill until ready to be served.
Wandercook’s Tips
- When making the sago, the trick is to soak it in the water and coconut firstfor half an hour to help soften it and quicken the hands-on time it takes to stir it continuously on the stove.
FAQs
Is this recipe healthy?
Sago is naturally gluten free, low in fat, and prized for its carbohydrates, making it rich source of energy.
Coconut cream, meanwhile, is relatively high in fat content. Some people avoid it for this reason, but like everything, it’s fine in moderation. It’s also dairy-free, vegan friendly and known to help lower cholesterol and boost the immune system!
So, to sum it all up, when enjoyed in moderation, sago pudding is a naturally sweet gluten-free dessert and can be a much healthier alternative to European-style puddings.
Is it gluten free?
Yes! Sago is naturally gluten free, so it makes the perfect gluten free dessert.
Can I prepare sago pudding in advance?
Absolutely, you can prepare it the day before or in the morning, to free up more time to work on your other courses or spend time with your guests.
Can I freeze sago pudding?
Yes, you can freeze it for around three to four months. It’s best to store the pudding separately from any toppings so that it will be easier to reheat.
How do I reheat it?
The best way to reheat sago pudding is to simmer or steam over a low heat and keep stirring until it’s heated through and the pearls are soft and chewy once more. Top with your favourite fresh toppings and serve warm or cold depending on your preference!
Variations & Substitutes
- Coconut Cream – swap for coconut milk or water which are both thinner and lighter in fat content than full coconut cream.
- For a Spicier Version – try adding star anise and cinnamon while simmering the sago pearls.
- For a Tropical Blend – top with young coconut, mango and a squeeze of fresh lime. You could also add a spoonful of caramelised ginger or pandan essence for a sweet vanilla aroma.
![Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango (8) Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango (8)](https://i0.wp.com/www.wandercooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/coconut-mango-sago-pudding-recipe-4.jpg)
Looking for more EASY sweet dessert ideas? Try these:
![Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango (9) Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango (9)](https://i0.wp.com/www.wandercooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/daif*cku-mochi-recipe-4-683x1024.jpg)
![Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango (10) Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango (10)](https://i0.wp.com/www.wandercooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/dadar-gulung-indonesian-coconut-pancake-4.jpg)
![Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango (11) Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango (11)](https://i0.wp.com/www.wandercooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/eton-mess-dessert-recipe-3.jpg)
![Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango (12) Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango (12)](https://i0.wp.com/www.wandercooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/indonesian-klepon-coconut-pandan-recipe-3.jpg)
★ Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating below!
Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango
Sago pudding is so light and refreshing, we love the tropical flavours and chewy texture of the sago pearls. It's a gorgeous dessert that tastes amazing, the perfect end to a delicious meal!
4.91 from 22 votes
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Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Chinese
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 369kcal
Author: Wandercooks
Cost: $5
Ingredients
- 1 cup sago
- 300 ml water
- 400 ml coconut cream
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tin mango slices in syrup
- 1 tbsp desiccated coconut
- 6 fresh mint leaves
Metric – US Customary
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, pour in your sago, coconut cream and water and allow to soak for 30 minutes.
1 cup sago, 400 ml coconut cream, 300 ml water
Place sago on medium heat and stir continuously to avoid sticking. The sago should cook through and become sticky in around 5-10 minutes.
Remove sago from the heat and add in your sugar, stirring through.
1/2 cup sugar
Spoon mixture into dessert glasses and allow to cool.
Top with mango, desiccated coconut and mint, then chill until ready to be served.
1 tin mango slices in syrup, 1 tbsp desiccated coconut, 6 fresh mint leaves
Video
Recipe Notes
- Sago Pearls – We prefer to use small white sago pearls (sometimes called sago seeds). You can sometimes find these in different colours or flavours, but we like the unflavoured white ones so we can add our own flavour. You can use large pearls or tapioca pearls if you prefer or if that’s all you can find.
- Coconut Cream – We use coconut cream, but you can also use coconut milk which is a bit thinner in texture. Both have a deliciously rich coconut flavour.
- Mango – You can use fresh or tinned mango slices depending on your preference. We actually love using tinned fruit that comes with its own syrup, it adds extra sweetness to your topping!
- Soak the Sago – When making the sago, the trick is to soak it in the water and coconut firstfor half an hour to help soften it and quicken the hands-on time it takes to stir it continuously on the stove.
- For a Spicier Version – try adding star anise and cinnamon while simmering the sago pearls.
- For a Tropical Blend – top with young coconut, mango and a squeeze of fresh lime. You could also add a spoonful of caramelised ginger or pandan essence for a sweet vanilla aroma.
- To Freeze –It’s best to store the pudding separately from any toppings so that it will be easier to reheat. You can freeze it for around three to four months.
- To Reheat – Simmer or steam over a low heat and keep stirring until it’s heated through and the pearls are soft and chewy once more. Top with your favourite fresh toppings and serve warm or cold depending on your preference!
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango
Amount per Serving
Calories
369
% Daily Value*
Fat
23
g
35
%
Sodium
40
mg
2
%
Potassium
217
mg
6
%
Carbohydrates
41
g
14
%
Fiber
3
g
13
%
Sugar
17
g
19
%
Protein
2
g
4
%
Vitamin A
42
IU
1
%
Vitamin C
3
mg
4
%
Calcium
10
mg
1
%
Iron
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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