Ube Con Yelo with Leche Flan

Before assembling the ube con yelo, prepare the leche flan. Separate 6 egg yolks from the whites (reserve whites for another use). In a mixing bowl, gently whisk the yolks without overbeating. Add one can of condensed milk, one can of evaporated milk, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir until just combined. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve to remove any lumps. Set aside.

Heat 1/2 cup of sugar in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, swirling the pan occasionally, until the sugar melts and turns deep golden amber. Immediately pour the caramel into individual ramekins or a single 9-inch round baking dish, tipping to coat the bottom evenly. Work quickly because the caramel hardens fast.

Pour the egg-milk mixture over the caramelized molds. Cover each ramekin with foil and steam over gently simmering water for about 35-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Let cool thoroughly, then refrigerate at least 2 hours (or overnight ideally). When ready to use, invert onto a plate gently; but if the flan runs, it's fine—just spoon it over the ice.

When the flan is set and you're about to assemble, take your ube halaya, coconut milk, macapuno strings, red mung beans, and pinipig out of the fridge. Give everything a quick stir to loosen it up.

Using a shaved ice machine or a sharp grater, create fluffy snow-like ice. If you don't have a machine, crush ice in a blender until fine and fluffy. Keep the finely shaved ice cold.

In tall dessert glasses or bowls, first add generous spoonfuls of ube halaya, red mung beans, and sparkling macapuno secrets at the bottom. Pack with a layer of shaved ice all the way up. Pour a drizzle of coconut milk over the ice so it seeps you.

Position is the crown! Carefully unmold a generous piece (or slice) of the dreamy leche flan onto each dessert. Add an affirming scoop of indigo ube ice cream on top. Finish with a sprinkle of verdant pinipig for that irresistible bite.

This frosty triumph towers for a story in moments—serve instantly even before the crystals speak to the creamy flan. Each spoonful grants sweet mango skies, violet silken gulp, macapuno meditations, beans between, nutty pinipig reprise.