A delicious tropical treat that you may even have seen your grandmother prepare when you were young, ginataang bilo-bilo is one of those merienda goodies that’s sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face. Imagine a milky, slightly syrupy coconut milk concoction that’s packed with chewy, sticky glutinous rice balls which serve as a perfect foil to the cubes of sweet potato, sliced plantains and strips of langka (jackfruit) that are so sunshiney-sweet that they burst in your mouth. Paired with the little tapioca balls and enough brown sugar to satisfy anyone’s cravings, this can be a great dessert after your dinner or simply a bowlful of happiness in the midday. Cold or warm, ginataang bilo-bilo is just as delicious. You can adjust the sweetness or creaminess as desired, or add other ingredients like pineapple or ube, but this recipe is a great start.
- 1 cup glutinous rice flour
- ½ cup dried tapioca pearls
- 2-1/2 cups coconut milk
- 10 cups water
- 2-1/2 cups sweet potato, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 ripe saba (plantain) bananas, sliced into rounds
- 5 fresh or canned jackfruit, cut into strips
- Prepare Bilo-bilo (Rice Balls): Combine rice flour with 4 tbsp. water in a bowl; mix well. Form into small balls, about ½ in. diameter. In a pot, pour 8 cups of water and bring to a boil. Drop each balls in the boiling water; cook for 5 minutes or until they float. Remove rice balls; set aside.
- Boil tapioca pearls in the same pot over medium heat until soft and translucent. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, combine 2 cups of coconut milk and 2 cups of water; bring to a boil. Add sweet potatoes; cook over medium heat for 15 minutes. Add cooked tapioca, sugar and cooked rice balls; cook for 10 minutes.
- Add jackfruit strips and banana rounds; cook for 5 minutes until everything is tender. Add the remaining ½ cup of coconut milk; bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer for another 3 minutes.
- Ladle onto individual bowls; serve warm or chilled this Ginataang Bilo-Bilo.
- Serves 4.
- Source: FilipinoRecipeSite.com
- Image: http://www.provincialpaleo.com/
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