Description
This Coconut Mango Sago Pudding is a luxurious tropical dessert that transports you straight to a sunny beach with every bite. It features a rich, creamy base infused with aromatic makrut lime leaves and sweetened with caramel-like palm sugar, perfectly balanced by chewy sago pearls and bright, fresh mango. Finished with tangy passion fruit, this chilled vegan treat is a refreshing and vibrant finale to any meal.
Ingredients
Coconut Sago Base
- 1 can (400 mL) coconut cream (brands like Savoy or Aroy-d recommended)
- 2 ounces palm sugar
- 1/2 cup sago pearls (or small tapioca pearls)
- 4 cups water (for boiling sago)
- 5 makrut lime leaves, bruised
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For Assembly
- 1 1/2 cups mango puree
- 2 ripe Champagne or Ataúlfo mangoes, diced or sliced
- 1/4 cup passion fruit pulp
- Fresh mint sprigs (optional garnish)
Instructions
Infuse the Coconut Sauce
In a small saucepan, combine the coconut cream, palm sugar, bruised makrut lime leaves, and salt. Place over medium heat and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sugar has fully dissolved and the cream has thickened slightly. Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature. Discard the lime leaves.
Cook the Sago
While the sauce cools, bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil in a large saucepan over high heat. Stir in the sago pearls and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, for 10 to 12 minutes. The sago is ready when the pearls are mostly translucent but still have a tiny white dot visible in the center.
Rinse and Drain
Immediately drain the sago in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse thoroughly under cold running water. This stops the cooking process and washes away excess starch, preventing the pudding from becoming gluey.
Combine and Chill
In a lidded container, mix the drained sago pearls into the cooled coconut sauce. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. This allows the flavors to meld and the pearls to absorb the creamy liquid.
Assemble and Serve
To serve, spoon about 1/4 cup of mango puree into the bottom of a glass or dessert bowl. Top with 1/2 cup of the chilled sago mixture. Finish with fresh mango slices and a drizzle of passion fruit pulp. Garnish with a sprig of mint if desired.
Notes
The “White Dot” Test: When cooking sago or tapioca, do not wait until the pearls are completely clear, or they will turn to mush. That tiny white speck in the center ensures they retain a pleasant, chewy texture (al dente).
Rinsing is Crucial: Do not skip rinsing the cooked sago under cold water. If you add the hot, starchy pearls directly to the cream, the dessert will become thick and pasty rather than creamy.
Mango Variety: For the smoothest texture and sweetest flavor, look for Champagne or Ataúlfo mangoes (the yellow kidney-shaped ones) rather than the fibrous red-green varieties.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop/Chilling
- Cuisine: Southeast Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: coconut mango sago, thai dessert recipe, tapioca pudding, vegan tropical dessert, mango sago, palm sugar dessert, gluten free pudding