Malunggay and wasabi ice cream, anyone?

MANILA, Philippines - In a time when eating balut has lost its Fear Factor appeal and taking delight in bull testicles has become passé (thanks to chef and TV personality Andrew Zimmern), it doesn’t come as a surprise anymore to find dishes that are either cunningly creative or downright crazy. And I’m not just referring to the often-discarded anatomy of animals here, but even the somewhat bizarre fare such as chocolate-covered bacon and veggie chicharon are now embraced by once-discriminating palates. Add to that growing list four icy treats that will not only help pacify the summer heat but also tickle your curious taste buds. They might initially make you scratch your head, but give them a lickin’ and you’ll realize that, hey, they’re not that bad after all.

Monggo

Mung bean or monggo actually makes for a good sorbetes flavor since it is naturally sweet and therefore has an authentic taste in every spoonful. The ice cream isn’t as rich and creamy as commercial brands; even so, it’s nice to bite into those beans for a most welcome contrast in texture. True to being sorbetes, this particular flavor can actually be sandwiched in a bread bun, I imagine, just like they do with dirty ice cream.

Gabi

I often see it in sinigang but other than that, I rarely come across the root of gabi or taro in dishes. And so it comes as a surprise to see it being turned into ice cream especially since it doesn’t pack a punch when it comes to flavor. True enough, the ice cream has a very subtle taste close to that of macapuno. The root is mashed and mixed in the ice cream, thus the texture is a bit rough, and it certainly becomes more evident once you swallow it.

Buko Cheese Dayap

Individually, they make for great sorbetes flavors, but all three combined? Not bad. I wonder, though, how they came up with this combination — was it by accident? Whatever the case may be, it makes for a delicious palate cleanser. It’s more like a granita than ice cream but even then, the tang from the dayap makes it refreshing while the buko strips give it a bite. I don’t really see or taste the cheese — which can either be a good or a bad thing.

Beer

Ever chilled a beer bottle in the freezer so long that it turned into slush? Well, that’s exactly what you get when you order a scoop of beer ice cream. Crushed peanuts are mixed into the icy dessert, giving you something to bite into. At first glance, it looks like a lychee sorbet, but once you let a spoonful melt in your mouth, there’s no questioning that it is indeed beer — the light kind and not pale, given that the ice cream has three-percent alcohol content. And because of that, I suggest you drink — rather, eat — moderately.

Wasabi

The wasabi flavor can very well pass as molecular gastronomy. Pop it in your mouth along with a piece of maki and it’s just like you’re having a Japanese snack. It’s because the ice cream tastes exactly like wasabi, complete with that jade color and strong, stinging sensation. Some ice creams claim to be of a particular flavor even if there’s only a subtle hint of the advertised taste. Well, this one doesn’t. It’s unmistakably wasabi and so it is wise to eat it in small portions at a time, as it can be a bit rough on the throat.

Malunggay

It was once known as a poor man’s vegetable, but now malunggay, given its many vitamins and minerals, is being made into oil, tea, and bread, proving that many people have since then enjoyed its taste and health benefits. The same can be said about its ice cream version. In fact, of all six flavors, this is what I enjoyed the most. Even if bits of malunggay are mixed in the icy dessert, the distinct flavor of the leafy veggie isn’t so overpowering that it’ll turn you off. Initially, I tasted vanilla ice cream, but once I let it sit and coat my tongue, I indeed tasted malunggay.

The Monggo, Taro and Buko Cheese Dayap Sorbetes are available at Butchie’s Recipes of La Moderna Pampanga located at the ground level of the Health Cube Building, 226 Wilson Street, San Juan City. Another interesting flavor is the salted egg.

The Malunggay, Beer and Wasabi Ice Cream are available at Elfav Ice Creamery located at the Pergola Mall in BF Parañaque and right across Robinsons Supermarket in Robinsons Galleria. Other interesting flavors include Tequila Rose, cheesecake, and lactobacilli.