Halo-Halo
Filipino Dessert

Halo-Halo is a Filipino treat perfect for tropical climes. Literally meaning "Mix-Mix" and dubbed the "Queen of Desserts," it's a blend of fruits, sweet preserves, evaporated milk and shaved ice. Although referred to as a dessert, it's actually more common to eat it as a stand-alone snack, especially in the middle of a hot afternoon. During the peak of the Philippine summer (April and May), makeshift stands are set up all over by people selling halo-halo. The ingredients are laid out on a table and the customer gets to choose which to have added to his or her order. Indoors, it's easier to have halo-halo topped off with a scoop of ice cream.

To make halo-halo, combine kaong (sweet palm fruit), macapuno (shredded coconut), langka (jackfruit) and red munggo (mung beans) in a parfait glass. Other possible ingredients are slices of saba (plantains), chunks of ube (purple yam), mais (corn), nata de coco (coconut gelatin) and pinipig (pounded dried rice). Top with shaved ice, evaporated milk and a scoop of ice cream.

Make sure to halo (mix) thoroughly before digging in. Yes, mixing all those goodies at the bottom without spilling the ice and ice cream off the glass is a skill that needs to be honed by regular indulgence!

Filipino Homestyle Dishes is a spring-bound cookbook featuring 40 classic Filipino dishes. It includes a recipe for halo-halo on page 85. The "Iced Fruit Mix" recipe calls for boiled plantains, red mung beans, sweetened jackfruit, cooked sago (boba or tapioca pearls), purple yam jam and pinipig (toasted young rice).

This cookbook provides a history and beautiful photos of Filipino food. Among the authors are food columnist Doreen Fernandez and other Filipino culinary greats who actually grew up eating and cooking the featured dishes and are recognized experts of Philippine cuisine. Includes a recipe for Halo-Halo Supreme. Usually priced at $11.27.

Anyone who has attempted to make halo-halo while growing up in the Philippines knows the drill: one has to use that unwieldy standard metal contraption over a large block of ice akin to shaving wood! With this ice shaver, you can give your biceps a rest and even use much smaller chunks of ice -- cubes! Price: $19.99.