a dessert TDF!

Last summer, a friend of mine came in from South Africa and invited me to join in with her whole family for a day at Costabella resort in Mactan island. We all started with a lovely lunch at the restaurant (food was not quite good) but the old world Filipino-Spanish ambiance balances everything; we hit the beach, island hop, snorkeling and had some sweet cold dessert treats after a long day basking in the sun.

Evidently, when we friends reconvene we were like the eyes and the ears of the food world..each of us shares notes of what's hot in the Culinary world....and that sunny afternoon we end up having the same order....Halo - halo! (coz there isn't much on the dessert section)

Halo - halo (means mix) it's a popular dessert in the entire Philippines... there is no specific recipe for this dessert but there is a wide variety of ingredients used depending on the region, area or restaurant serving it...However, the most common are the various sweet beans and fruits topped with ice cream, Leche flan (our local version of cream brulee) and milk....this is a dessert TDF (to die for!)

I've been pretty good about desserts, I should say that I have a sweet tooth and I get easily excited to anything sweet (good thing that I didn't get those diabetic genes). Costabella's Halo halo is just perfect, since its not too sweet but you can actually feel all the ingredients melts in your mouth, its a bit expensive compared to other refreshment centers (of course it's a resort!) but who cares if you have a Halo- halo and an amazing panoramic view of the white sand beach..... and best of all .. thanks to my dear friend and her whole family for the warm treat!....

Photo courtesy of Lilac Alesna - Arcos