Vibrant Dragonfruit Sago Dessert with Coconut and Tapioca Pearls Recipe
Dragonfruit sago is a vibrant, refreshing dessert combining the chewy texture of tapioca pearls with the tropical sweetness of red and white dragonfruit, creamy coconut and evaporated milk, and a hint of condensed milk sweetness. Enhanced with agar agar jelly and the delightful chewiness of nata de coco, this dessert offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors, ideal for a cooling treat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Fruit
- 1 red dragonfruit, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 white dragonfruit, cut into bite-sized pieces
Jelly
- 1 packet agar agar, prepared according to package instructions
Tapioca Pearls
- 1½ cups tapioca pearls
- 6 cups water (for boiling pearls)
Dairy & Sweeteners
- 1 can evaporated milk (approximately 12 oz)
- 1 can coconut milk (approximately 13.5 oz)
- 2–3 tbsp sweetened condensed milk (for mixing)
- ½ can sweetened condensed milk (adjust to taste for dessert sweetness)
Extras
- Nata de coco, quantity as desired
Instructions
- Prepare Tapioca Pearls: Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a large pot. Add 1½ cups tapioca pearls and cook until pearls turn translucent, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water, then set aside.
- Prepare Agar Agar Jelly: Following the instructions on the agar agar packet, dissolve and cook agar agar mixture. Pour into a shallow container to set and refrigerate until firm. Once set, cut into small cubes.
- Combine Milks and Sweetened Condensed Milk: In a large mixing bowl, combine the can of evaporated milk, can of coconut milk, 2–3 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk, and ½ can of sweetened condensed milk (adjust sweetness according to taste). Stir well to combine.
- Add Ingredients: Add the cooked tapioca pearls, agar agar jelly cubes, bite-sized pieces of red and white dragonfruit, and nata de coco into the milk mixture. Gently fold all ingredients to combine evenly without breaking the fruit.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the assembled dessert for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld and to serve it cold and refreshing.
Notes
- You can adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of sweetened condensed milk.
- Ensure tapioca pearls are washed after cooking to remove excess starch and prevent clumping.
- For a vegan version, substitute evaporated milk with coconut cream and use plant-based condensed milk alternatives.
- Chilling the dessert enhances the refreshing taste and texture contrasts.
- Use fresh dragonfruit for best flavor and vibrant color.
