Sago Gula Melaka is one of the most popular desserts in Malaysia. According to many tourists, the taste is really good! The combination of smooth and spongy (albeit tasteless) sago pearls with sweetly-flavored gula melaka (palm sugar) and the fragrant creamy santan (coconut milk) always reminds them of Malaysia. Sago can be served at any time and easy to prepare. One can have a try to prepare Sago Gula Melaka by following this recipe:

Ingredients:
Pearl Sago: 200g
Coconut milk: 2 cups
Water: 1 cup
Pandan leaves: 4 pieces (cleaned and knotted)
Palm sugar: 100g

Preparation:
1. Soak pearl sago in water for 5 minutes
2. Bring 5 cups of water to boil in a large pot. Add pearl sago and keep stirring till sago turns transparent.
3. Pour into strainer and rinse under a running tap till cool.
4. Drain excess water and pour into a bowl. Add 3 tablespoons sugar and a pinch of salt. Mix well and scoop into individual moulds to set. Chill in refrigerator.
5. Mix coconut milk and water together. Add the pandan leaves, stirring in between to prevent curdling. Add 2 tablespoon of sugar, remove from heat and cool in refrigerator.
6. Dissolve palm sugar with 2 tablespoon of hot water. Chill in refrigerator.
7. To serve, spoon the palm sugar syrup and coconut milk over the chilled sago.


Norsuriaty Awang Hassim