When I need a really fast, make ahead sweet, I reach for this Mango Sago. Especially now, when mangoes are at their peak. Even with all of the annoying squirrels racing to get their fair share, I still have plenty left to make this recipe. With perfectly ripe summer fruit, this tropical dessert doesn’t even need any sugar. It’s creamy, cooling, refreshing and makes a beautiful presentation. Any leftovers make a great grab and go breakfast too!

I first had this dessert at a Singaporean restaurant in Manila many years ago. It’s a frequent dessert soup served at Chinese restaurants. After a rich meal, this mildly sweet, fruity offering is a sophisticated step above cut oranges. And with just a couple of quick easy steps, you too can have this on your table tonight!

Sago

Sago are tapioca pearls, made from the starch of the cassava root. The starch gets gelatinized when cooked, which then thickens liquid into a pudding-like consistency. Sago pudding can be made with all kinds of fruit, and is enjoyed throughout Southeast Asia. Mango Sago is said to have originated in Hong Kong, where it is appreciated for its tropical flavors. Be careful to get the small white pearls, not the larger black or brown tapioca that is used to make Boba Tea.

Preparing Mango Sago

This recipe relies on the sweetness of ripe summer mangoes. When selecting them, look for fruit that gives when you gently squeeze it and has a rich tangy aroma. While you don’t want rock hard, you don’t want super mushy/soft either, because we are going to cut some pretty cubes to garnish our mango sago.

If mangoes are not available or out of season, you can use frozen mangoes or even switch out the mangoes for strawberries, raspberries, or peaches. I’ve also had this soup many times with chunks of taro root floating in it, a traditional version which you can make year round.

Blend until it’s a smooth puree and take a taste. If it’s not as sweet as you’d like, add the optional sugar. Then chill in the fridge for at least an hour until ready to combine with the tapioca. You can make the puree a day ahead too.

Cooking the Sago

It is crucial that your water is at a furious boil before you start. Use a whisk or fork to stir the water as you pour in the tapioca. You need the tapioca to be separate grains and tapioca loves to cling together. If you’re not attentive, you will end up with a tapioca raft, where your tapioca gels into one big blob. Once you’ve poured in the tapioca, lower the heat and cook the tapioca for 13-15 minutes, giving it a good whisk every couple minutes.

Turn off the heat and let the tapioca sit in the hot water for another 5 minutes. This soaking time allows the tapioca pearls to fully hydrate. Any hard white centers will disappear as they soak in the hot water so don’t worry about them. Once the pearls are translucent, drain them in a sieve and run under cool water to cool.

Now that the sago is cooked, it’s time to add the prepared mango puree.

Mix to combine:

Keep them in the fridge until ready to serve. The longer the Mango Sago sits, the more pudding like it becomes. I enjoy eating it immediately after making it as a chilled soup, and then having one the next day when it’s more like a tapioca pudding. Either way, it’s delicious. I hope this easy Mango Sago brightens up your summer. Let me know by commenting and rating the recipe, and tag us in your pics @funkyasiankitchen, we love seeing your creations!

Mango Sago

• Author: Funky Asian Kitchen
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: serves 4
• Category: sweets
• Cuisine: Chinese

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Ingredients

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• ¼ cup small tapioca pearls
• 3 fresh ripe mangoes
• 8 oz coconut milk or coconut cream
• ¼ cup condensed milk
• 2–3 Tablespoons sugar (optional depending on the sweetness of the mangoes)

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Instructions

1. Peel the mangos and then cut the mango off of the seed in thick slices. Take a couple of the nicest slices and cut them into ¼ inch chunks for garnishing (you should have about ½ cup). The rest will be blended. You should have about 1 pound of mango to puree. 
2. In a blender, add the coconut milk, condensed milk, and mango. Blend until smooth, and transfer to a large bowl. Taste the puree. If it’s not as sweet as you would like, add the optional sugar to taste.
3. Cover the bowl and then chill the mango puree for at least an hour before adding the tapioca. (You can make this the night before and store it covered in the fridge.)
4. In a pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil over high heat. Make sure the water is at a rapid boil, and then add the tapioca, whisking as you pour it in. (If the water is not boiling, the tapioca will stick together and you will create one gooey raft of tapioca). 
5. Lower the heat to medium high and simmer for 13-15 minutes, whisking every couple of minutes. It’s ok if the tapioca still has a small white spot in the middle. It will disappear as it sits in the hot water.
6. Turn off the heat and let the tapioca sit for 5 minutes or just until the tapioca is clear. Drain the tapioca into a sieve and rinse under running cold water to cool. Drain well.
7. Add the tapioca to the mango puree and mix to combine. Pour into individual bowls and top with the reserved mango chunks. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

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Notes

*Do not substitute Boba tea tapioca pearls which are a completely different product.

*If fresh mangoes are not available, feel free to substitute 1 pound of frozen mango or 2 cups of other fruit such as peaches, strawberries, or raspberries. Add sugar to taste once you have made the puree.

Keywords: mango, sago, desserts, summer, sweets, chinese, cantonese

Think you’re not a big cabbage fan? Have you ever had it braised until it was silky soft in a flavorful broth packed with tender ocean delicacies? Braised Cabbage with Seafood will change how you view cabbage. It can do so much more than get shredded and drenched with mayo. No hate to coleslaw mind you, but cabbage is ready to play a much bigger starring role in your life. You know you’ve been meaning to add more cruciferous veggies into your meals, so let’s get into it.

Braise the Cabbage

Full disclosure, I’m using Napa cabbage for this dish. Its leaves are already a bit softer than green cabbage and it has a mild sweetness. Napa cabbage is ubiquitous in Asian cuisine and plays so many roles, because it is incredibly versatile. It can be shredded and eaten raw in salads, it can be used in soups and stews, it adds a nice crunch to stir fries, and of course, kimchi would not be the same without Napa cabbage.

If you got caught by surprise and had counted on green cabbage being included in this recipe, you can definitely use it instead and it will still be delicious. Just be sure to cook it for a little longer until the cabbage is really tender and soft.

Start by whipping up the sauce. The secret to a good braise is to use a really flavorful braising liquid, and this one delivers. Then we amp up the flavor even more with the addition of several aromatics like dried shrimp, ginger, garlic, and chili flakes. No bland cabbage for us!

Seafood

Now that the cabbage is silky soft and tender, it’s time to make the seafood portion. I use a mix of shrimp, calamari, and scallops. You can find the calamari, or squid, already cleaned and cut in the frozen section. The seafood get very quickly cooked in our braising liquid.

Then I add the cornstarch slurry and let it thicken up the sauce, which just takes about 30 seconds. I add just a touch of toasted sesame oil for added richness.

And with that, we’ve turned cabbage into a sexy, sumptuous feast. Serve it with some hot rice to soak up all of the delicious sauce. Try it and let me know what you think. Comment and rate the recipe below, and show off your creations by tagging us @funkyasiankitchen, we love hearing from you!

Braised Cabbage with Seafood

• Author: Funky Asian Kitchen
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: serves 4

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Ingredients

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• 1 ½ pounds napa cabbage (1 small one)
• ½ large onion, sliced thin
• 2 Tablespoons neutral oil
• 2 Tablespoons dried shrimp
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• ½ teaspoon dried chili flakes
• ½ pound shrimp (I used 21/25 “large” size)
• ½ pound sliced squid*
• 6 pieces large scallops*
• 4 scallions
• 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
• 1 Tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 Tablespoon water

Sauce:

• 6 oz chicken broth
• 2 Tablespoons shaoxing wine
• 2 Tablespoons oyster sauce
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

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Instructions

Make the sauce:

1. Combine the chicken broth, shaoxing wine, oyster sauce, salt, and ground pepper in a cup and stir. Set aside.
2. Cut the napa cabbage in half and then cut each half into thirds to yield 6 wedges. Wash and set aside to drain.
3. Trim the scallions and then cut into 2 inch pieces. Set aside.
4. Heat a large 12 inch skillet over medium high heat. Add the oil and onions, stir frying for 2-3 minutes. Next add the dried shrimp, chili flakes, garlic, and ginger and stir fry for a couple of seconds.
5. Add the sauce and stir to combine. Then add the Napa cabbage wedges. Cover with a tight lid and cook for 7-8 minutes, until the napa cabbage is tender and limp. Turn the cabbage wedges a couple of times while cooking so they cook evenly.
6. Use a pair of tongs to transfer the napa cabbage to a large platter, keeping the cooking liquid in the pan.
7. Bring the liquid to a simmer over medium high heat and add the shrimp, squid, scallops, and scallions. Cook uncovered for 3 minutes until the seafood is just cooked. 
8. Add the cornstarch slurry, stirring the sauce as you pour. Let it cook for 30 seconds to thicken and then taste it, adjusting the seasoning if needed.
9. Add the sesame oil and stir to combine.
10. Pour the seafood sauce gently over the napa cabbage.
11. Serve Braised Cabbage with Seafood immediately.

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Notes

*You can find calamari (squid) already cleaned and cut in the freezer section. Defrost before using.

*I used Japanese style boiled scallops, which are already cooked. You can substitute with any scallops you like. Look for natural unsoaked chemical free scallops for best flavor and texture. 

*If you would prefer to use green cabbage, cut the cabbage into wedges. And cook them for 6-8 minutes longer than the recipe states. Take a fork and stab into the wedge. It should easily pierce the cabbage. If not, cook it for a couple minutes longer. You may need to use a bit more chicken broth or water to complete the braise.

Keywords: seafood, shrimp, scallops, cabbage