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My Halo-halo Recipe

Carrine Samantha Updated Filipino Kitchen

halo-halo recipe

A refreshing and sweet treat consisting of crushed ice, evaporated milk or coconut milk, and various ingredients plus toppings.

halo-halo recipe

Filipino Kitchen · Dessert, Snack

My Halo-halo Recipe

A refreshing and sweet treat consisting of crushed ice, evaporated milk or coconut milk, and various ingredients plus toppings.

Prep
10 min
Total
10 min
Yield
4 servings

Ingredients

Units

Ingredients for Homemade Sweetened Bananas

Ingredients for Homemade Sweetened Red Mung Beans

Ingredients for Homemade Sweetened White Beans

Method

Preparing the Ingredients

  1. Prepare the gulaman according to package directions, but use less water than called for to achieve a firmer texture.

  2. You can either prepare the ingredients from scratch or use bottled halo-halo ingredients for convenience.

Instructions for Homemade Sweetened Bananas

  1. Peel and slice the bananas into ½-inch pieces.

  2. In a saucepan, bring water to a boil.

  3. Reduce heat, add sugar, and stir until dissolved.

  4. Carefully add the bananas to the saucepan.

  5. Simmer gently until the bananas soften and the liquid thickens (this should take 10-15 mins).

  6. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

  7. Let the bananas cool slightly before adding them or refrigerate them for later use.

Instructions for Homemade Sweetened Red Mung Beans

  1. Rinse the red mung beans thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt.

  2. Soak the beans overnight in a bowl of water to soften them.

  3. Once soaked, drain the beans well.

  4. In a medium saucepan, combine the soaked beans with enough fresh water to cover them completely.

  5. Add sugar to the saucepan and stir well.

  6. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.

  7. Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer the beans until tender and the liquid thickens into a syrupy consistency, about 30-40 minutes.

  8. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

  9. Once done, remove from heat and let the sweetened red mung beans cool slightly before adding them.

Instructions for Homemade Sweetened White Beans

  1. Rinse the white beans under cold water in a colander and drain well.

  2. Transfer the rinsed beans to a saucepan and cover them with enough water to fully submerge them.

  3. Bring the water to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce to low and cover. Simmer until the beans are tender, about 45 minutes to an hour.

  4. Once the beans are soft, add sugar to the saucepan. Stir until dissolved.

  5. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the liquid thickens and is mostly absorbed, about 15-20 minutes.

  6. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

  7. Let the sweetened white beans cool slightly before adding them.

Assembling the Halo-halo

  1. In a tall glass, start by adding about a teaspoon each of your desired add-ins, filling the glass about ⅓ full.

  2. Pack the glass with shaved ice.

  3. Drizzle evaporated milk over the ice.

  4. Top the ice with leche flan and a scoop of ice cream.

  5. Garnish with strips of macapuno and sprinkle with pinipig if desired.

  6. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Details Behind My Halo-halo Recipe

Halo-halo Recipe – As stated, halo-halo is a shaved ice dessert featuring sweet and refreshing ingredients. However, there is more to know about this Filipino dessert. Halo-halo is a popular Filipino dessert meaning “mixed” in Tagalog. It’s a mix of crushed ice, milk, sweet beans, and fruit preserves, topped with ube ice cream. Served in a tall glass with a long spoon, it’s loved for its refreshing taste and cultural importance. There are many variations with ingredients like sugar palm fruit and tapioca pearls, showcasing the diverse flavors of the Philippines. Whether you prefer the classic version or creative twists like buko halo, halo-halo remains a beloved treat celebrating Filipino cuisine.

Additional Notes for My Halo-halo Recipes

There are many ways to make halo-halo, and this recipe is just one of them. Additionally, there are different ways to serve the dish. For this recipe, you want to start by adding a teaspoon of your chosen ingredients to a tall glass until it’s about one-third full. Fill the glass with shaved ice, then pour evaporated milk over it. Top the ice with scoops of ice cream, leche flan, and/or ube halaya. For extra taste and texture, add strips of macapuno and sprinkle with pinipig if you like.

If you want better results, there are many tips to help you out. For one, adjust the water when making gulaman for firmer cubes, and you don’t need to add extra sugar since most ingredients are already sweetened. Using shaved ice instead of crushed ice gives a smoother texture that blends well with the milk, making halo-halo even more delicious.

Similar Dishes to Halo-halo

Many dishes can be compared to halo-halo and have similar components. However, if you want to try another shaved dessert, there is iskrambol. Iskrambol is a favorite frozen treat in the Philippines, typically served on the streets. It’s made with banana-flavored shaved ice mixed with milk and topped with various toppings like sprinkles and mini marshmallows, along with chocolate or strawberry syrup.

What makes Iskrambol special is its bright color, created by adding red food coloring to the banana-flavored ice. The name “Iskrambol” comes from mixing or “scrambling” all the toppings with the ice before enjoying this tasty dessert.

Other Classics Involved in Halo-halo

There is a selection of classic treats involved in halo-halo. One of them is leche flan. Leche flan is a dessert similar to Spanish crème caramel but richer with condensed milk and extra egg yolks. Traditionally cooked in an oval tin mold called a llanera, it’s often steamed over a flame, though baking works too. Leche flan isn’t just enjoyed on its own; it’s also used in desserts like flan cakes and puto flan. Additionally, leche flan can come in different flavors such as ube leche flan.

Another key component of halo-halo is the saba bananas. Saba bananas are often used in many Filipino treats. One example of this is minatamis na saging. Minatamis na saging, also known as sweetened banana, is a Filipino dessert crafted from chopped saba bananas immersed in a sweet syrup called arnibal. This syrup comprises muscovado sugar and water, with a touch of salt, and can be enhanced with pandan leaf or vanilla extract for an extra burst of flavor.

As stated, halo-halo can be made in different ways and feature a variety of ingredients. What has been listed above is just one version of halo-halo you can enjoy.

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