Description
Ingredients
For this strawberry sago recipe, you’ll need:
For the Sago Base:
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- 1 cup sago pearls (tapioca can work in a pinch, but true sago gives the best texture)
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- 4 cups water for cooking
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- 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
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- 1/3 cup sugar (adjust according to taste)
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- 1/4 teaspoon salt
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- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Strawberry Layer:
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- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered (frozen works too, just thaw first)
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- 3 tablespoons sugar
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- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For Serving:
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- 1 cup nata de coco (coconut gel), drained
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- Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
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- Additional sliced strawberries for topping
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- Splash of evaporated milk or half and half (optional, for serving)
Instructions
Begin by rinsing the sago pearls under cold water using a fine-mesh strainer. This removes any excess starch and prevents clumping.
In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the sago pearls and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for about 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pearls turn translucent with just a tiny white dot in the center.
Once cooked, drain the sago in a colander and rinse immediately with cold water to stop the cooking process. This is crucial – it prevents the pearls from becoming one giant sticky mass!
Tip: If you’re new to cooking sago, don’t worry if they stick together a bit. A gentle stir after cooling will usually separate them.
Return the saucepan to low heat and add coconut milk, sugar, and salt. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves completely – this should take about 3-4 minutes. Be careful not to let it boil!
Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Allow the mixture to cool for about 10 minutes before folding in the drained sago pearls. The pearls should be evenly distributed throughout the creamy coconut mixture.
Tip: For an extra rich flavor, you can replace half the coconut milk with coconut cream. It’s decadent but utterly delicious!
While your sago mixture is cooling, let’s work on the star of our strawberry sago recipe – the fruit itself!
Place the hulled and quartered strawberries in a bowl. Sprinkle with sugar and lemon juice, then gently toss to coat. Let this mixture sit for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the strawberries to release their juices and create a beautiful natural syrup.
For a smoother consistency, you can lightly mash about half the strawberries with a fork, leaving some chunks for texture. If you prefer a uniform puree, blend them briefly instead.
Tip: Reserve a few strawberry slices for garnishing – the vibrant red color against the white pudding creates a beautiful presentation!
Now comes the fun part of our strawberry sago with nata de coco recipe – the assembly! You can present this dessert in so many ways:
For individual servings: Layer the coconut sago mixture at the bottom of clear glasses or bowls, followed by the strawberry mixture, and then top with nata de coco.
For a family-style dessert: Pour the coconut sago mixture into a large serving bowl, create a well in the center, and fill it with the strawberry mixture. Scatter the nata de coco on top.
For a more dramatic presentation: Create alternating layers in a trifle bowl, starting and ending with the strawberry mixture.
Tip: If I’m serving this for guests, I’ll use my grandmother’s crystal dessert cups. Something about serving a humble dessert in fancy glassware makes everyone feel special!
Cover your creation and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight if possible. The flavors meld beautifully with time, and the sago becomes perfectly tender.
When ready to serve, garnish with fresh mint leaves and additional sliced strawberries. For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle with a splash of evaporated milk or half and half just before serving – it creates beautiful swirls throughout the dessert.
Serve chilled and watch as everyone’s eyes light up when they take their first spoonful of this delightful strawberry sago recipe!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Boil
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
Keywords: strawberry sago, coconut milk dessert, sago pudding, nata de coco, Asian dessert, summer dessert, fruity sago, strawberry coconut pudding, easy sago recipe