There are many wonderful 'kuih' desserts in Malaysia which are sold in small stalls by the roadsides or at night markets. Some are sweet while others are savoury. One of my favorites is 'kuih sago', a mildly sweet kuih made from tapioca pearls and coated with grated coconut. This is a great dessert for gatherings or parties.
It has the consistency of jello but not as hard. The soft and chewy texture of this pink kuih together with its mild rose-flavoured taste and coating of shredded coconut definitely makes it stand out.
If you are unable to find rose paste extract, you may substitute it with rose water or any colouring of your choice. Natural colouring can be obtained from beetroot. It is not necessary to steam fresh, shredded coconut, if you have it. I did so because I was using frozen shredded coconut. However, steam the desiccated coconut if you are using it for this recipe.
