Espasol

Espasol – That dusty thing sold by a number of vendors, especially when you are riding a bus. Well, before you grimace at the thought of eating it, know this native, sticky sweet first. Espasol or Baye-Baye is a cylinder-shaped Filipino rice cake originating from the province of Laguna. Basically, it is made from rice flour cooked in coconut milk and sweetened coconut strips, then dusted with toasted rice flour. That explains the appearance.

Espasol Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups toasted glutinous rice flour, reserving 1/2 cup for rolling
• 2 cups vanilla soy milk (original recipe called for coconut milk)
• 1 cup agave nectar (original recipe called for 2 cups sugar!)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• zest of 1 lemon
• 1 cup shredded coconut unsweetened

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat milk in a saucepan until boiling. Add agave nectar (or sugar if that is what you’re using), vanilla extract, salt, shredded coconut and lemon zest and stir until combined.
2. Slowly add toasted glutinous rice flour, stirring  to avoid clumps.  Reduce heat to low and continue stirring and cooking until thick and coming off the sides of the saucepan. I used a non-stick pan so mine took only 10 minutes.  This part can take as long as 1 hour.
3. Remove from heat.  Transfer cake onto rice flour dusted work surface and let cool to room temperature.
4. Divide  in equal portions, rolling on the flour to form cylinders. Alternatively, you can cut using a cookie cutter instead.
5. Wrap in paper or banana leaves until ready to eat.