Halo-Halo (Mixed Fruits and Beans in Shaved Ice)

Halo-Halo, whose root word halo means "mix" in Filipino, is a traditional summer cooler in the Philippines. It is basically sweet preserves like kamote(sweet potato), langka(jackfruit), kidney beans, monggong pula(red mung beans), nata de coco(coconut gel), saging na saba(cardava banana), sago(tapioca pearls), sugar palm(kaong) and ube(purple yam) mixed together, filled with shaved ice and milk, topped with ice cream, leche flan or haleyang ube(purple yam jam) and sprinkled with rice crispies, ground nuts or coconut flakes. This refreshing treat is usually served in a tall, clear glass or bowl that shows it's colorful contents.

Though Halo-Halo is a favorite during summer when the weather is particularly hot and humid, it is eaten year round in the Philippines, and is available in most restaurants and fast food chains. My most favorite is that of Via Mare & Chowking...but I must say that nothing compares to homemade Halo-Halo.

What I like with homemade Halo-Halo, just like any other homemade food, is that you can always make it according to your taste, and you are always sure that you are using fresh ingredients. You can always opt for the bottled fruit preserves available in stores but as for me, I prefer cooking them myself. Though it takes lots of hours to cook beans and tapioca pearls, it's worth it. I can always cook the ingredients ahead of time anyway! 

I'm sharing this on These Chicks Cook, What's Cooking Wednesday, What's on the Menu Wednesday, Miz Helen's Country Cottage's Full Plate Thursday and It's a Keeper Thursday.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• ½ cup gulaman, cubed (cubed gelatin)
• ½ cup minatamis na kamote (sweet potato in syrup)
• ½ cup minatamis na langka (jackfuit in syrup)
• ½ cup minatamis na saging na Saba (Cardava Banana in syrup)
• ½ cup minatamis na sago (tapioca pearls in syrup)

Toppings:

• 4 to 6 cups shaved ice
• 1 can Evaporated Milk
• 4 scoops halayang ube
• ½ cup pinipig (rice crispies) or ground peanuts or roasted coconut flakes

Procedure:

1. In each glass place 1/8 cup of each ingredient.

2. Top with 1 cup shaved ice.

3. Pour ¼ cup milk over shaved ice and top with a scoop of halayang ube.  Sprinkle nuts, pinipig or coconut flakes over it.

5. Serve immediately!

On another note, it was Pinay In Texas Cooking Corner's fifth monthsary yesterday! I was too occupied with a lot of other things that I wasn't able to do a post. Anyway, this is just a quick note to thank all of you for your unending support! You, my wonderful followers are my inspiration that keeps me going! THANK YOU SO MUCH for making Pinay In Texas Cooking Corner a part of your life! My only wish is that you stay with me on this journey as I try to improve my cooking skills to provide you with more mouth-watering recipes. May we all learn in the process...and be able to share wonderful experiences with one another!