Biko, also known as Linungkay in the Bicol dialect, is a beloved Filipino sweet rice cake often served as a snack or after a meal. It’s a staple dish at parties and social gatherings. The cake is made from sweet rice, coconut milk, and brown sugar, and the recipe can be adjusted to suit the maker’s preferences.
Many biko recipes are topped with latik, a sweet condiment made from coconut milk curds, while others use condensed milk curds. Millie has a unique twist on the classic recipe by adding Ube (purple yam) flavoring and sliced ripe jackfruit to the sweet rice cake mixture. She also tops it off with a sprinkle of thinly sliced, roasted almonds. You absolutely must try it – it’s a truly delicious treat!
Ingredients: 20-24 servings
2 cups of sweet rice(pulutan)
1 3/4 cups of white or brown sugar.
Ube flavouring liquid
1 tsp. salt
1 can(13.5 fl. oz) coconut milk
1/2 cup of sweet rice flour(glutinous)
1 can(20 0z) or fresh chopped, ripe jackfruit
1/4 cup of thinly sliced, roasted almonds
1tsp. almond or vanilla extract
Biko Recipe Preparations:
- Place sweet rice on a cooker. Wash or rinse rice at least twice, apply a pinch of salt and water prior to boiling. Set aside when done.
- Pour a can of the coconut milk into a deep pan, allow it to boil at a medium heat, while stirring on occassion, to keep the milk from from curding. Add sugar, continue to stirr occasionally.
- Add the cooked sweet rice, followed by the glutinous rice flour. Start stirring cooked rice and glutinous flour together until they are thoroughly combined. Continue to stir mixture until they are thick and fluffy.
- Apply sugar, ube flavoring, vanilla extract, followed by the sliced jackfruit. Continue to stir until all ingredients are fully incorporated. The Ube flavored Biko or Linungkay should have been fully incorporated at this time and texture is fluffy-thick.
- Transfer this delicious Ube flavored Linungkay on a large baking pan. Top it with thinly sliced, roasted almonds prior to serving. Serve it cold or warm.
Tip: Try adding freshly shredded young coconut meat(buko) for additional flavoring. If fresh young coconut is not available, try using preserved ones in a jar. Otherwise, enjoy this delicious Ube flavored Biko; or should I say in Bicol– Linungkay!!
