Halo-Halo

To prepare the ingredients for Halo-Halo, start by sweetening your fruits and beans. Use separate bowls for macapuno, sweetened jackfruit, sweetened banana, sweetened red beans, and sweetened mung beans. If you're using store-bought options, make sure to drain them if they're in syrup. This ensures that each layer of your dessert is flavorful and not overly soggy.

Yes, you can easily make a vegan version of Halo-Halo! Substitute the evaporated milk with coconut milk or almond milk. For the leche flan, you can use a vegan custard recipe or skip it altogether. Ensure that all your sweetened ingredients are plant-based, and you can enjoy this delicious Filipino dessert without any animal products.

Halo-Halo is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, store the components separately in airtight containers. Keep the shaved ice in the freezer, and the sweetened ingredients in the refrigerator. When you're ready to enjoy it again, assemble the layers fresh to maintain the texture and flavor.

If you can't find some of the traditional ingredients for Halo-Halo, there are plenty of substitutions. For macapuno, you can use shredded coconut. If you don't have sweetened jackfruit, try using canned peaches or mangoes. Instead of ube ice cream, you can use vanilla ice cream or any other flavor you prefer. Feel free to get creative with the toppings based on what you have available!

Halo-Halo is a delightful dessert on its own, but you can enhance your dessert experience by pairing it with other Filipino treats like leche flan, bibingka (rice cake), or even a side of turon (banana lumpia). These pairings complement the sweet and creamy flavors of Halo-Halo beautifully.