When the weather gets warm and the sun is shining, there’s nothing quite like a bowl of refreshing Watermelon Sago to cool you down. It is easy to prepare and makes for a delightful treat on hot days. The combination of sweet watermelon and chewy sago pearls creates a satisfying texture that’s perfect for indulging in the summer.
About the Watermelon Sago
Sago is commonly used in Chinese dessert soups, often referred to as “tong sui,” which translates to “sugar water.”
Sago, or sago pearls, are called 西米 (xī mǐ) in Mandarin. When added to desserts, they are commonly referred to as 西米露 (xī mǐ lù). Some classic sago dessert soups include Mango Sago and Taro Sago.
Today, I want to share another favorite of mine—Watermelon Sago, especially delightful during the hot summer when watermelons are abundant and inexpensive.
Watermelon Sago is one of my absolute favorite varieties. When it’s hot outside, I enjoy chilling it and serving it cold.
How to cook sago
When cooking sago, it’s important not to wash it, as rinsing will cause it to dissolve. Make sure to boil the water before adding the sago. Cook the sago for about 15 minutes, then cover it and let it sit for another 15 minutes. Check to see if there are any white spots remaining.
If so, continue cooking for a few more minutes until there are no white spots left. Finally, soak the cooked sago in cold water to enhance its texture.
Ingredients:
- 50g sago
- 1 watermelon (approximately 1500 – 2000g)
- 250ml pure milk
- 30g condensed milk
- 250ml coconut milk (about 1/3 bottle, adjust to taste)
Instructions:
- Cook the Sago:
- In a pot, add enough water to boil. Once the water is boiling, carefully add 50g of sago pearls.
- Maintain a high heat and let the sago cook for about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the pearls from sticking together.
- After 15 minutes, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let it sit for an additional 15 minutes. This resting period helps ensure the sago is fully cooked while keeping its chewy texture.
- Once the time is up, drain the sago and rinse it under cold water in a bowl. This step will enhance the chewiness of the pearls and keep them from clumping together.
- Prepare the Watermelon:
- Wash the watermelon thoroughly, then slice it in half.
- Use a knife to cut a portion of the watermelon flesh into small, even cubes and set them aside for later.
- For the remaining watermelon, cut it into larger chunks and place them into a blender.
- Add 30g of condensed milk and 250ml of pure milk to the blender. Blend until smooth to create a refreshing watermelon juice. If you don’t have a blender, you can mash the watermelon chunks with a fork, then mix in the milk and condensed milk, though the texture may not be as smooth.
- Assemble the Watermelon Sago:
- Take a clean cup or serving bowl. Begin by adding two tablespoons of the diced watermelon cubes at the bottom.
- Next, spoon in two tablespoons of the cooked sago pearls.
- Pour in about 250ml of coconut milk, filling it to the same level as the sago.
- Finally, gently pour the blended watermelon juice into the cup until it’s full, creating a lovely layered effect.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve the Watermelon Sago immediately as a refreshing dessert. You can also chill it in the refrigerator for a bit if you prefer it colder.
Notes:
- When preparing the watermelon, I cut some into cubes and some into larger chunks to blend into watermelon juice. The cubed pieces are used for assembling the Watermelon Sago.
- Feel free to adjust the proportions of the ingredients according to your taste; for a richer coconut flavor, add more coconut milk, or increase the watermelon juice for a stronger fruity taste.
Refreshing Watermelon Sago Recipe
Ingredients
- 50 g sago
- 1 watermelon approximately 1500 - 2000g
- 250 ml pure milk
- 30 g condensed milk
- 250 ml coconut milk about 1/3 bottle, adjust to taste
Instructions
Cook the Sago:
- In a pot, add enough water to boil. Once the water is boiling, carefully add 50g of sago pearls.
- Maintain a high heat and let the sago cook for about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the pearls from sticking together.
- After 15 minutes, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let it sit for an additional 15 minutes. This resting period helps ensure the sago is fully cooked while keeping its chewy texture.
- Once the time is up, drain the sago and rinse it under cold water in a bowl. This step will enhance the chewiness of the pearls and keep them from clumping together.
Prepare the Watermelon:
- Wash the watermelon thoroughly, then slice it in half.
- Use a knife to cut a portion of the watermelon flesh into small, even cubes and set them aside for later.
- For the remaining watermelon, cut it into larger chunks and place them into a blender.
- Add 30g of condensed milk and 250ml of pure milk to the blender. Blend until smooth to create a refreshing watermelon juice. If you don't have a blender, you can mash the watermelon chunks with a fork, then mix in the milk and condensed milk, though the texture may not be as smooth.
Assemble the Watermelon Sago:
- Take a clean cup or serving bowl. Begin by adding two tablespoons of the diced watermelon cubes at the bottom.
- Next, spoon in two tablespoons of the cooked sago pearls.
- Pour in about 250ml of coconut milk, filling it to the same level as the sago.
- Finally, gently pour the blended watermelon juice into the cup until it's full, creating a lovely layered effect.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve the Watermelon Sago immediately as a refreshing dessert. You can also chill it in the refrigerator for a bit if you prefer it colder.
