Halo-Halo

Halo-halo is one of my favorite summertime desserts. From the Philippines—the name means “mix-mix" in Tagalog—the refreshing dish layers shaved ice and condensed milk on top of all sorts of ingredients for an end result that packs in lots of contrasting textures, from chewy to crunchy, creamy to sticky. While components vary, you'll find some common add-ins at most halo-halo carts and bars: jellies, flan, macapuno, palm seeds, sweetened red beans, shaved ice, ube ice cream, fresh fruit, toasted coconut flakes, pinipig. My version uses mango jelly with fresh fruit set into it as well as pandan-infused sweetened condensed milk.

I encourage you to choose your own adventure, layering the elements in a tall glass or wide bowl. Make sure to use a long-handled spoon to reach everything, and for mixing and swirling. By the end, once things are mostly melted, you can practically drink it. —Tiana Gee