For dessert, Linda made a Filipino Mixed Fruit Dessert called Halo-Halo in the South Arm Community Kitchen.

The Halo-Halo is made up with store bought Halo-Halo mixture which is available in Filipino groceries store. You can add an assortment of can or jar preserved fruit like preserved shredded young coconut, palm nut, nata de coco, jello and etc. This is served with shaved ice. It is a great summer treat.

The words Halo-Halo is translated as “mix-mix” in Tagalog and is pronounced as “hah-lo-hah-lo” and not “hay-lo-hay-lo”. This is traditionally served in a tall glass even though it would have been easier if this is served on a plate or a bowl.

Halo-Halo is a variation of a popular regional ice dessert in hot countries in South East Asia. The ingredients are slightly different and the degree of sweetness varies but the concept are similar to the Ais Kacang of Malaysia, Cendol in Indonesia and Faluda in Myanmar. Of course there are the “ice plates” commonly found in Taiwan too.

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons Halo-Halo mixture, divided into 2 tablespoons each
• 3 tablespoons macapuno (preserved shredded young coconut)
• 3 tablespoons kaong (palm nuts)
• 3 tablespoons nata de coco (coconut gel)
• 3 tablespoons grated cantaloupe
• 3 tablespoons diced preserved banana
• 3 tablespoons assorted colored jello or agar-agar
• crushed or shaved ice
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk
• vanilla ice-cream (or mango flavour)

The ingredients are flexible and up to your imagination to mix and match.

Source: Linda

Prep time: 30 minutes;  Serve 3

Instructions

Linda brought along her portable ice shaver for this recipe. It is a fun kitchen tool for the family. You can get this gadget at the Dollar Smart 99 Store at Hazelbridge Way for about $15.

Linda demonstrated how to grate cantaloupe using a cheese grater.

The content of the store bought Halo-Halo include red beans, coconut gel, palm fruit, jack fruit, macapuno and white beans.

To prepare the Halo-Halo, arrange all the ingredients in an assembly line.

Fill a glass bowl with assortment of the ingredients to one third of the bowl.

Top with shaved ice. Lightly pack the shaved ice.

Drizzle with evaporated milk. Top with more ingredients and finally a scope of ice-cream and enjoy.