Get ready to embark on a mouthwatering journey through the Philippines' most beloved comfort dessert! Ginataang Bilo Bilo is not just a recipe; it's a creamy, dreamy experience that combines chewy rice balls, sweet potatoes, and luxurious coconut milk into a heavenly treat that will transport your taste buds straight to tropical paradise. Whether you're a culinary adventurer or a dessert enthusiast, this recipe promises to be your new obsession!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: Filipino
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup glutinous rice flour
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 can coconut milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup sweet potatoes, diced
- 1/2 cup tapioca pearls
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine glutinous rice flour and water. Knead the mixture until a smooth, pliable dough forms. If the dough feels too dry, add water gradually.
- Roll the dough into small marble-sized balls using your palms. Ensure the bilo bilo (rice balls) are uniform in size for even cooking.
- Prepare a separate pot and fill with water. Boil the tapioca pearls until they become translucent and soft, which typically takes about 10-15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Peel and dice sweet potatoes into small, uniform cubes approximately 1/2 inch in size.
- In a large cooking pot, pour the coconut milk and add sugar and salt. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Add the diced sweet potatoes to the coconut milk mixture and simmer on medium heat for about 5-7 minutes until they start to soften.
- Gently add the prepared bilo bilo (rice balls) and boiled tapioca pearls into the coconut milk mixture.
- Continue cooking and stirring occasionally, allowing the bilo bilo to float and the mixture to thicken. This should take approximately 10-15 minutes.
- Remove from heat when the sauce reaches a creamy consistency and the sweet potatoes are tender.
- Let the ginataang bilo bilo cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. The dessert can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
Tips
- Dough Consistency is Key: When mixing rice flour and water, aim for a smooth, play-dough-like texture. If it's too dry, add water gradually to prevent cracking.
- Uniform Rice Balls: Roll your bilo bilo balls to the same size to ensure even cooking and a professional presentation.
- Tapioca Pearl Perfection: Boil tapioca pearls until they're completely translucent and soft, but be careful not to overcook them.
- Coconut Milk Matters: Use fresh or high-quality canned coconut milk for the richest, most authentic flavor.
- Gentle Stirring: When adding rice balls and tapioca to the coconut milk, stir gently to prevent breaking the delicate balls.
- Temperature Control: Maintain a medium heat to prevent burning and ensure even cooking of sweet potatoes and rice balls.
- Serving Suggestion: This dessert is versatile - enjoy it warm for a comforting treat or chilled for a refreshing dessert.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 0mg
