Halo-Halo

Name: Halo-Halo
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Philippines
Ingredients: Shaved ice — from about 500 g (1.1 lb); Sweetened red beans — 60 g (2 oz); Sweetened white beans — 60 g (2 oz); Sweetened jackfruit, sliced — 60 g (2 oz); Sweetened banana (saba), sliced — 60 g (2 oz); Nata de coco — 2 tbsp (coconut gel); Kaong — 2 tbsp (sugar palm fruit); Evaporated milk — 120 ml (4 fl oz); Scoops ube (purple yam) ice cream — 2; Leche flan, cubed — 1 tbsp (optional garnish)

The Quirky Foodster Team

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (0)

Servings

Ingredients

Shaved ice — from about 500 g (1.1 lb)
Sweetened red beans — 60 g (2 oz)
Sweetened white beans — 60 g (2 oz)
Sweetened jackfruit, sliced — 60 g (2 oz)
Sweetened banana (saba), sliced — 60 g (2 oz)
Nata de coco — 2 tbsp (coconut gel)
Kaong — 2 tbsp (sugar palm fruit)
Evaporated milk — 120 ml (4 fl oz)
Scoops ube (purple yam) ice cream — 2
Leche flan, cubed — 1 tbsp (optional garnish)

Method

Layer the sweetened beans, jackfruit, banana, nata de coco and kaong in the bottom of tall glasses.
Fill the glasses generously with shaved ice.
Drizzle with evaporated milk.
Top with a scoop of ube ice cream and a few cubes of leche flan if using.
Serve immediately with a long spoon, mixing everything together before eating.

Introduction: A colourful, layered dessert of shaved ice, sweetened beans, fruits and jellies, topped with ube ice cream, one of the Philippines' most beloved and festive treats.

Cultural Background: Halo-halo, meaning 'mix-mix' in Filipino, is a joyful celebration of textures and flavours layered together, its combination of sweet beans, fruits, jellies and shaved ice making it an essential treat for beating the tropical heat.

Tips: Layer the sweet mix-ins generously at the bottom, as this is where much of the dessert's character comes from. Serve and eat immediately, as the ice melts quickly.

Variations: Add other toppings like sweetened corn, pinipig (toasted rice flakes) or macapuno (coconut sport strings). Adjust the mix-ins to personal preference, as halo-halo is highly customisable.

Storage: Best made and served immediately; not suitable for storing.

Reheating: This is a frozen dessert and is not reheated.

FAQs:

Q: What does 'halo-halo' mean?

A: 'Mix-mix' in Filipino, referring to the way all the colourful layers are stirred together before eating.

Q: What is ube?

A: Purple yam, a beloved Filipino ingredient known for its vibrant colour and sweet, earthy flavour, widely used in desserts.