“One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.” -Luciano Pavarotti

Halo Halo Ice Medley at Ranch & Reef  © Jojie Alcantara
(different versions of the traditional halo halo)

Halo-halo is from a  Tagalog word “halò“, which means “to mix”.  This delectable concoction is a popular Filipino dessert that is a mixture of shaved ice and evaporated milk, and added with various sliced fruits and boiled sweet beans, and served in a tall glass or bowl. In terms of arrangement, most of the ingredients (fruits, beans, and other sweets) are first placed inside the tall glass, followed by the shaved ice. This is then sprinkled with sugar, and topped with either (or a combination of) leche flan, purple yam (ubeng pula), or ice cream. Evaporated milk is poured into the mixture upon serving. (Thanks, wiki)

Ingredients (thanks, Food Network)

6 tbsp halo-halo mixture, divided into 2 tbsp each
2 tbsp macapuno (preserved shredded young coconut)
2 tbsp kaong (palm nuts)
2 tbsp nata de coco (coconut gel)
2 tbsp fresh grated cantaloupe
Crushed or shaved ice
1/2 cup evaporated milk
ice cream (vanilla, mango or ube)

Directions

In a tall glass, layer the first 5 ingredients. Cover with enough ice to fill the glass. Pour evaporated milk onto the ice. Top with a scoop of ice cream.

In other Asian countries, there are variations of this Filipino concoction called in different names.  My food shoot in Ranch & Reef, a restaurant in Davao City, include a few variations of the Halo Halo, which they call Ice Medley. 🙂

Bonus Trivia: In 2003, I actually had a television show called, wait for it… Halo Halo Sunday Special. 😀