Berries Kuih Sago (Tapioca Pearls Cake)

For my gluten free Berries Kuih Sago (Tapioca Pearls Cake) recipe. Likewise, I am using fresh berries juice from a combination of strawberries, blueberries and raspberries.  Using berries is a much healthier option than adding food colourings. My Berries Kuih Sago (Tapioca Pearls Cake) recipe is not only gluten free. But also vegan, low carb, soy free, nut free, corn free and egg free, and has no artificial colours.

Kuih Sago (Tapioca Pearls Cake) is a common Malaysian Nonya kuih. Nonya (Peranakan) cuisine is the fusion of Chinese and Malay cuisines. As a result of intermarriages between the Chinese and Malays. The main ingredient is sago or tapioca pearls with sugar and colouring added. Then they boil these sago or tapioca pearls until they are translucent, cooled in a baking tray. Once completely cooled, they then cut the kuih sago into preferred pieces. And they coat the kuih sago in lightly salted grated or shredded coconut. Followed by serving kuih sago at room temperature or preferably served chilled.

You may also like my other gluten free Nonya kuih recipes:

• Pumpkin and Coconut Layered Cake (Kuih Talam); and
• Steamed Sweet Corn Cake (Jagung Kuih).

What is Sago or Tapioca Pearls?

They commonly refer to sago or sago pearls as tapioca pearls. Besides, they make sago or tapioca pearls from tapioca or cassava roots. Eventhough, they are normally white in colour and opaque. Likewise, they become translucent when steamed or boiled. Moreover, they often use both the terms sago and tapioca pearls interchangeably in Southeast  Asia. Moreover, they use small pearls as regular ingredients in Asian desserts like kuih, sago soup and puddings. While they normally add large pearls either white or black, to sweet drinks. Specifically, they add sago or tapioca pearls to popular bubble tea and fruity drinks. Whereas, they frequently add black sago pearls to black and green tea drinks. Thereby giving the drinks a chewy texture. Today, sago or tapioca pearls also come many different colours. Either in pink, green, purple or other extensive assortments of colours, usually with food colouring added.

Nutritional Values of Berries

Strawberries are made up mainly of water (>90%) and have very high fiber content. Besides, they are an excellent source of vitamin C and vitamin K and flavonoids (anthocyanidins). In addition, they also contain some calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus.

Nonetheless, blueberries are one of the few naturally blue colour foods. They have powerful antioxidants from a plant compound called flavonoid (anthocyanidins). Besides, blueberries are not only high in fiber but also contain minerals like iron, phosphorous, calcium, manganese, magnesium and zinc. They are a good source of potassium, vitamin B9 (folate), vitamin C, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and vitamin K.

Whereas, raspberries contain more than 85 percent water and are also very high in fiber. Moreover, they contain calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorous. As well as vitamin C, vitamin K and vitamin B group comprising of vitamin B9 (folate) and vitamin B3 (niacin).

Health Benefits of Berries

Overall, the health benefits of berries may include:

• Assist with weight loss;
• Lower cholesterol level;
• Aid in maintaining healthy hair and skin;
• Support healthy teeth and bones;
• Lower blood pressure;
• Decrease risks of cardiovascular disease;
• Reduce risks of mental disorders;
• Assist with symptoms of arthritis;
• Prevent aging related memory loss like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease;
• Reduce risks of Parkinson’s disease;
• Support healthy eyesight and reduce risk or macular degeneration;
• Lessen risk of cancerous growth; and
• Fight urinary tract infection (particularly blueberries).

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Berries Kuih Sago (Tapioca pearls cake)

Healthy, refreshing and delicious Berries Kuih Sago (Tapioca Pearls Cake) made with fresh berries juice from strawberries, blueberries and raspberries.

Course Dessert

Cuisine Asian Desserts, Malaysian

Diet Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Low Fat, Low Salt, Vegan

Keyword Berries, Berries Dessert, Corn Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Kuih, Low Carb, Malaysian Desserts, Nut Free, Nyonya Kueh, Nyonya Kuih, Sago Pearls, Soy Free, Vegan

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Servings 28 pieces

Calories 75.37kcal

Author Daphne Goh

Ingredients

• 250 g sago pearls small (also called tapioca pearls), soaked for 15 mins and drain well
• 1 litre water
• 80 g caster sugar
• 3 tablespoons tapioca starch mixed with ⅓ cup (90ml) water
• 1 teaspoon rosewater essence
• 1 teaspoon strawberry essence

For the Berries Juice (500ml or 2.11 US Cups):

• 250 ml water
• 250 g strawberries
• 150 g blueberries
• 150 g raspberries

For the Coating:

• 2 cups shredded coconut
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Metric – US Customary

Instructions

For preparing the berries juice:

• Add all the strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and water, into a Nutribullet or a food processor and blend until you get a smooth juice. You will need around 2 cups (500ml or 2.11 US Cups) of berries juice. Set aside.

For preparing the coating:

• Mix all the shredded coconut and the salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.

For the kuih sago:

• In a non-stick frying pan, bring the 1 litre water to a boil. Add in sugar and boil until the sugar has dissolved completely.
• Then add in all the drained sago, bring to a boil again and turn the heat to low to medium heat. Stirring frequently and boil for about 20 minutes.
• Add in the tapioca flour solution, the berries juice, rosewater essence and strawberry essence and bring to a boil again. Once its boiling, turn the heat to low, stirring frequently and cook for another 20 minutes or until the sago pearls are translucent (no more white dots). You will get a thick gluey like paste.
• Turn off the heat and immediately pour into a glass baking tray or any baking tray. Kuih sago is around ½ inch in thickness.
• Use a spatula to level evenly. Set aside to cool completely.
• Once cooled, use a lightly oiled knife to cut into 2 inch square pieces and coat with the shredded coconut and serve.
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Once chilled the kuih sago will firm up further. You can serve at room temperature or it is best serve chilled.

Equipment

NutriBullet 900W Alternative to Food Processor

Food Processor Alternative to NutriBullet

Glass Mixing Bowl

Non-Stick Frying Pan 12 Inch

Rubber Spatula

Oblong Glass Baking Dish

Airtight Storage Container

Notes

Small sago pearls or tapioca pearls can be purchased from Asian groceries stores.

Nutrition Facts

Berries Kuih Sago (Tapioca pearls cake)

Serving Size

 

1 piece

Amount per Serving

Calories

75.37

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

2.5

g

4

%

Saturated Fat

 

2.14

g

13

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

0.07

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

0.11

g

Sodium

 

49

mg

2

%

Potassium

 

49

mg

1

%

Carbohydrates

 

13.4

g

4

%

Fiber

 

1.32

g

6

%

Sugar

 

6.99

g

8

%

Protein

 

0.36

g

1

%

Vitamin A

 

5.73

IU

0

%

Vitamin C

 

7.44

mg

9

%

Calcium

 

5.49

mg

1

%

Iron

 

0.23

mg

1

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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