Pro Tips
**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**
- Let the dessert cool completely before slicing or serving for the best texture.
- Measure ingredients accurately — baking relies on precise ratios for success.
- For fruit desserts, use ripe but firm fruit that holds its shape during cooking.
- Let baked desserts cool completely before slicing to set the structure and prevent crumbling.
Cooking Tips
For the most tender results, cook low and slow — a gentle simmer (not a vigorous boil) breaks down connective tissue without drying out the meat. Taste and adjust seasoning toward the end of cooking. As liquids reduce, flavors concentrate, so what tastes balanced early may become too salty later.
Ingredient Substitutions
No coconut milk? For a richer alternative, blend canned coconut cream with water (1:1). For a lighter option, use evaporated milk with a splash of coconut extract. In a pinch, heavy cream or full-fat milk can replace coconut milk — the texture will be similar though the flavor profile changes. Short on time? A pressure cooker (Instant Pot) can reduce cooking time by roughly half for most braised and stewed Filipino dishes. Reduce liquid slightly since less evaporates.
Storage & Reheating
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious. Store desserts in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. Let chilled desserts come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.
Ube Kalamay
Ube Kalamay — a vibrant purple yam rice cake made with glutinous rice, coconut milk, and ube halaya. Creamy, sticky, and beautifully violet.
Instructions
- Combine water, glutinous rice flour, and 2 cups of coconut milk in a bowl. Mix well using a wire whisk. Set aside.
- Heat a cooking pot. Pour 2 cups of coconut milk. Let boil.
- Add shredded purple yam. Stir and cook in medium heat for 3 minutes.
- Pour in the glutinous rice flour mixture into the cooking pot. Stir until all the ingredients are well blended.
- Gradually add the sugar while stirring. Continue to cook until the mixture becomes very thick.
- Brush coconut oil in a mold (I used a quiche mold for this recipe). Put the cooked ube kalamay in the mold. Spread it around the mold. Brush remaining coconut oil over the ube kalamay. Flatten top using a spoon. Top with latik.
- Let the kalamay cool down for 1 hour. Serve.
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Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
- Let the dessert cool completely before slicing or serving for the best texture.
- Measure ingredients accurately — baking relies on precise ratios for success.
- For fruit desserts, use ripe but firm fruit that holds its shape during cooking.
- Let baked desserts cool completely before slicing to set the structure and prevent crumbling.
Cooking Tips
Taste and adjust seasoning toward the end of cooking. As liquids reduce, flavors concentrate, so what tastes balanced early may become too salty later.
Substitutions
In a pinch, heavy cream or full-fat milk can replace coconut milk — the texture will be similar though the flavor profile changes.
Short on time? A pressure cooker (Instant Pot) can reduce cooking time by roughly half for most braised and stewed Filipino dishes. Reduce liquid slightly since less evaporates.
Storage & Reheating
Store desserts in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. Let chilled desserts come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.
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