icon-account icon-glass
FREE GOLDEN MILK ON ORDERS OVER $60

Angela & Ligaya's Biko

Serves

8-10

Difficulty
Beginner
Angela & Ligaya's Biko
Photo by:  

Alex Lau

Reprinted from the book Filipinx: Heritage Recipes from the Diaspora by Angela Dimayuga and Ligaya Mishan. Photographs copyright © 2021 by Alex Lau. Published by Abrams.”

 

There’s a hint of molasses in this sticky rice cake, from brown sugar and a gooey topping of melted Coco Jam, which brings a dark, mellow sweetness. You could make it even more luxurious with brown butter and a finish of chocolate ganache and cacao nibs. Still, the straightforward (and naturally vegan) version is the original, and just how my lola made it. This is an easy recipe to halve for a smaller group or double or even triple for a party. The banana-leaf base, while optional, imbues the rice with a gentle earthiness. It reminds me of green tea without the bitter edge, or the succulence of steamed dark greens.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups (720ml) unsweetened, full-fat coconut milk 
  • 1 teaspoon Surya Salt or kosher salt 
  • ¾ cup (165g) Madhur Jaggery or packed brown sugar
  • 1 ½ cups (285g) glutinous ("sweet") rice
  • 1 (10 by 10-inch/ 25 by 25cm) piece banana leaf 
  • ½ cup (120ml) Coco jam
  • Flaky sea salt 

Methods

  1. In a 2-quart (2 L) saucepot, combine the coconut milk, 1½ cups (360 ml) water, the kosher salt, and brown sugar and bring up to a boil. Add the glutinous rice, return to a boil, then reduce to a slow simmer. Put a lid on the pot and cook for about 25 minutes, occasionally lifting the lid to stir.
  2. Remove the lid and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes, until the rice has absorbed most but not all of the liquid. It should look like risotto. If the center of the grain is still quite hard, add a bit more water, ¼ cup (60 ml) at a time, and continue cooking until the rice is al dente (with just a little resistance left at the center of the grain).
  3. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and arrange the racks so one is at the top level and another at the middle. Line an 8 by 8-inch (20 by 20-cm) pan with the banana leaf, if using. (If not, no need to line the pan with anything else—the rice won’t stick.) Transfer the cooked rice to the banana leaf-lined pan.
  4. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the coco jam into a clear syrup. Using a spoon, spread the melted jam over the cooked rice in an even layer.
  5. Bake the biko for 25 to 35 minutes on the middle rack of the oven, then transfer to the top rack and set the oven to broil. Let broil for 2 to 3 minutes, until the surface of the cake is bubbling and takes on the luster of dark caramel.
  6. Let the biko cool for about 20 minutes. Cut into 2-inch (5 cm) squares and serve at room temperature with a fillip of flaky sea salt on top.

This Recipe Features

BESTSELLER
BESTSELLER
BESTSELLER
BESTSELLER
BESTSELLER
BESTSELLER
BESTSELLER
BESTSELLER
Left image

Liked this recipe?

You'd love The Diaspora Co. Cookbook, featuring 95+ recipes straight from our partner farms!

Shop the Cookbook

Most Loved Recipes

Ready to spice up your inbox?

“I hate literally all marketing emails except for yours!!” - Sarah

Notify me when preorders open

Enter your email to be the first to know when preorders for this product open.

Notify me when back in stock!

Add your email address to be notified via email
as soon as this product is back in stock.

My Cart ( items)

Add to unlock 3 free spice spoons
They're stainless steel, upcycled, and super handy!
You unlocked 3 free spice spoons!
Add to unlock free shipping!
Your order ships free in the US!
Add to unlock A free mystery dish towel worth $12
Add to unlock free shipping
Add to unlock A free mystery dish towel worth $12
Add to unlock free shipping!
You unlocked 3 free spice spoons!
Add to unlock A free mystery dish towel worth $12!
You unlocked 3 free spice spoons!

Your order ships free in the US!
Yay! You unlocked 2 free gifts.
Free shipping (US) will apply at checkout.

$35

3 Free
spice spoons

$75

Free US
shipping

$110

Free
dish towel

Your cart is empty!
Add products to unlock free gifts + free shipping!

FREE GIFT WITH PURCHASE

Mystery Dish Towel

$12 FREE!

FREE GIFT WITH PURCHASE

Spice Spoon Trio

$3 FREE!

Last minute essentials

Golden Milk

Golden Milk

Chai Masala

Chai Masala

Aranya Black Pepper

Aranya Black Pepper