Biko (Sticky Rice Cake with Fried Coconut Milk Curd Topping)

It's the first day of May...and in the Philippines, it's the start of the monthlong Flores De Mayo (Flowers of May). It is a religious celebration held in honor of the Virgin Mary, wherein devotees gather together every afternoon or evening to offer prayers, songs and flowers to Mary. After the ceremony, the Hermanos or Hermanas for the day will give away homemade delicacies and snacks to the participants. I remember that whenever my family was the Hermana, my mother would always make Biko, a sticky rice cake similar to Bibingkang Malagkit, but is brown in color and has latik (fried coconut milk curd) topping. Aside from being my mom's favorite kakanin, biko is also very economical to make, and I guess that's why she loved making it. With just glutinous rice, sugar and coconut, you'll have a yummy snack or dessert in no time. It's usually served during New Year, Christmas and other special occasions and (for my family back then), during Flores de Mayo. :)

Yesterday, the hubs was working from home and when he was drinking coffee during breakfast, he suddenly said he misses biko and wants me to make it. It's so good with coffee, and the hubs really like it. It has been a while since I last made it, so I immediately checked the pantry to see if I have the ingredients. Luckily I did, and I was able to accommodate what seemed like a simple and reasonable request. By around 3 p.m. yesterday, this yummy rice cake was ready...

...and the hubs enjoyed his afternoon coffee break! :) 

Biko is a favorite Filipino delicacy that has a very simple yet delightful taste. It requires very few ingredients and requires no baking unlike the Bibingkang Malagkit.If you love Filipino kakanin (sweet rice delicacies), you should try this!

Bibingkang Malagkit (Sticky Rice Cake)

A very happy new year to you, my dearest friends and readers! I am hoping that you all had a wonderful New Year's celebration with your loved ones.

I know that you are all looking forward to the new possibilities and opportunities that this brand new year has to offer. For sure, many of you did some preparations to have the best possible start for 2012! 

Do you know that we, Filipinos "eat for luck" on New Year's Eve??? Though we believe that everything is all dependent on God's will, we still practice this tradition which is one of the influences we got from the Chinese. Every New Year's Eve, we prepare and eat special foods that are believed to bring us riches, long life, love or other kinds of good fortune during the rest of the year. We cook uncut noodles to signify long life. We also prepare sweet delicacies which symbolize a rich, sweet life. Traditional delicacies made from glutinous or sticky rice like this Bibingkang Malagkit are also prepared so good fortune will stick around throughout the year.

This dessert has always been on our dinner table for Media Noche (New Year's Eve feast) since I was a kid. But this isn't just for special occasions. It's a favorite everyday Filipino dessert or snack that's so good with a cup of coffee. This is almost similar to biko, the only difference is the topping and the color of the cake. Biko has latik (coconut milk curd) for topping and cake is brown in color because brown sugar is used, while bibingkang malagkit has condensed milk and coconut milk for topping and the cake is white. I will share with you my biko recipe soon. For now, enjoy this bibingkang malagkit that will definitely be a hit for all types of occasions!