Sili Ice Cream, the Spicy One from Bicol

Sili Ice Cream, the Spicy One

Sili ice cream is a delightfully deceptive dessert from Bicol, Philippines, that’s bound to take your taste buds on an unexpected journey. At first glance, it looks like an ordinary strawberry ice cream, with its smooth, rosy-pink appearance inviting you to take a taste. But don’t be fooled by its charming looks—this dessert has a fiery twist.

The moment you take a spoonful, the cooling, creamy sweetness greets you just like any other ice cream, but then comes the surprise: a subtle tingling that starts on your tongue and spreads to your entire palate. With each bite, the sensation intensifies, leading to a warm, spicy finish that’s surprisingly satisfying. This chilli-infused ice cream doesn’t hold back, leaving an unmistakable heat that lingers even after you’ve polished off the bowl.

If you’re new to this kind of spicy treat, having a few slices of cucumber nearby is a smart choice, as they can help cool your mouth in case the heat gets too intense.

Sili ice cream has its roots in Bicol, a region famous for its love of chillies, specifically the siling labuyo, or wild chilli. This particular variety is known for its bold spice and is a local culinary symbol.

First introduced by 1st Colonial Grill in 2004, this inventive flavour uses siling labuyo and coconut milk to create a unique blend of creamy and spicy—a true tribute to the bold flavours of Bicolano cuisine.

It’s more than just a dessert; it’s an experience that balances heat with the sweetness of coconut milk, making it a must-try for anyone up for a flavour adventure.

Sili Ice Cream Legaspi

You can find it on the menu at……..

1st COLONIAL GRILL

Ground Floor, Pacific Mall, Landco Business Park, Legazpi

Sili Ice Cream Recipe

If you would like to try making Sili Ice cream by yourself at home here is a recipe of a friend of mine from Bicol.

You can find the ingredients easily in the local market or your local supermarket.

The Sili Ice Cream Recipe is made of coconut cream and a little crushed fresh Siling Labuyo,( Birds Eye Chillies) which are hot and taste good in the ice cream.

It’s hot but its cold! That’s how Sili Ice Cream tastes.  Try out this Sili Ice Cream Recipe and let us know in the comments below how it went.

Now let’s get down to work.

For the Ingredients:

1 cup thick cream (or an all purpose cream), chilled

1 cup chilled coconut cream 
1 cup chilled condensed milk, adjust for preferrred sweetness 
3 cups ripe strawberries, chilled and pureed
a pinch of salt
1 tsp fresh Siling Labuyo, chopped and crushed in a mortar. Include the seeds. 

*** You can use canned coconut cream from the supermarket or better still, go to the market and buy fresh coconut cream.

How to Make

Chop and crush the siling labuyo using a mortar and pestle or blender, until they become a paste. Use as many chillies as you like. More chillies = more spicy.

Mix together the thick cream, coconut cream, condensed milk, sugar, pureed strawberries, salt and siling labuyo paste in a mixing bowl using an electric mixer until smooth pink cream for 5 to 10 minutes.

Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and place it in your freezer for around 6 hours or more until solid and the texture of ice cream.

Then Serve and enjoy your creation.

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