Food creator Ian Kewks has developed a huge TikTok following for sharing traditional yet accessible Filipino recipes. So when Ian showed us his recipe for halo-halo, a For Rent Expansion Pack favorite and quintessential dessert from the Philippines that involves mixing up a bevy of goodness, we could not have been more excited. “Halo-halo compiles everything delicious the Philippines has to offer,” says Ian. “Ingredients like ube, sweet banana, jackfruit and coconut strips are just some of the key components to a good halo-halo.”

Since some of the ingredients can only be found in Filipino supermarkets, such as pinipig (toasted rice), this versatile dessert tastes just as good with substitutions. “Lots of substitutions can be made to halo-halo without breaking the integrity of the dish itself,” Ian explains. “For example, if you don’t have any sweet bananas, jackfruit or coconut strips preserved in syrup, you can always opt for the fresh kinds. Evaporated milk can be substituted with fresh milk or other plant-based options if you prefer. Pinipig could also be replaced with cornflakes or rice krispies if you don’t have any luck finding it.”

The key is not sweating it. “Have fun with it,” Ian urges. “It’s cliché, but the beauty of halo-halo is that it’s not a very intricate dish that requires any sort of fancy technique whatsoever. Serve it in a cup or a bowl, whichever you prefer. Add however much toppings you desire, and douse it with milk to your preferred creaminess. Most importantly, mix the halo-halo until it becomes slushy-like – that’s the whole point of why it’s named the way it is!”

Ian has fond memories eating halo-halo when he lived in the Philippines, and continues to make memories with his family in Canada. “Making halo-halo is a very family-oriented activity in our house,” he shares. “One of us [is] in charge of shaving ice, while the others are responsible for prepping the toppings and mix-ins. It’s always a fun get-together with family (especially in the summer) and then enjoying the labor of our combined efforts in the end.”

Halo-Halo Recipe by Ian Kewks (Inspired by The Sims 4 For Rent Expansion Pack )

Prep time: 5-10 mins

Servings: 1 tall glass or 1 large bowl

Ingredients:

1/2 – 1 cup shaved/crushed ice

1⁄4 cup evaporated milk

Fillings:

1 tbsp ube halaya (ube jam)

1 tbsp sweetened red mung beans

1 tbsp sweetened jackfruit strips

1 tbsp sweetened bananas (plantain or saba), chopped

1 tbsp sugar palm fruit

1 tbsp sweetened coconut strips/macapuno

1 tbsp coconut gel/nata de coco

Toppings:

1 scoop ube ice cream

1 slice leche flan

1 chocolate wafer stick

1 tsp pinipig, toasted

Directions:

1. In a tall glass, add in all the ingredients for the filling (you can spread the ube halaya inside the sides of the glass for a more traditional look).
2. Fill the glass with the shaved/crushed ice and drizzle in the evaporated milk.
3. Top the halo halo with a scoop of ube ice cream, leche flan, a chocolate wafer stick, and toasted pinipig.
4. Serve immediately. Stir and mix everything together before eating. Enjoy!

So whether you are trying to nail your halo-halo recipe IRL or in The Sims 4, we want to see your creations. Tag #Simspiration to show us your inspiring work of art, both inside and outside of our games. Dag dag!

The Sims 4 For Rent Expansion Pack out now on PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC via EA app for Windows, Origin™, Steam® and Epic Games Store.

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