Binignit: A Hot Bowl of Tradition

Lenten comes about the passion and sacrifice of Jesus for humankind, pero sa mga panahon ring ganito ay ipinagbabawal ang pagkain ng karne. That's why early Filipinos went their way and made a stew that would fill their stomachs and would follow the restrictions of the celebrated holiday— ang Binignit. Hindi lang ito pantawid gutom during Lenten Season at Holy Week, kundi simbolo rin ito ng kasaysayang nakasanayan at kultura ng mga Pilipino. 

Binignit or mas kilala bilang Ginataang Bilo-bilo ng marami ay isa sa mga pagkaing inihahanda tuwing Holy Week. This happened because as per restrictions no meats are allowed during holy week and so, early Filipinos made use of various fruits and root crops such as Saging na Saba, Kamoteng Kahoy, Kamote, and paired with Sago and Bilo-bilo made from glutinous rice you've got yourself a Binignit.

Ingredients:

2 cups glutinous rice flour

1 cup water

2-3 cups water

2 400ml can coconut milk or cream

1 ½ cup cooked tapioca pearls

¾ cup sugar

2 big sweet potatoes (peeled and cubed) 

4 piece plantain bananas (peeled and cubed) 

Procedures:

1. Prepare the sticky rice balls para dito try adding 1 cup of water sa 2 cups glutinous rice flour. Haluin ito gamit ang fork until it forms a dough. Scoop about half a spoon of the dough tapos bilugin using your palms. Set them aside.

2. Sa isang pot, combine 2 cups water, coconut milk, and sugar and bring to boil. Ilagay na ang sweet potato cubes and cook it for about 3 minutes habang hinahalo ito. Next, add the plantain banana cubes tapos hayaang maluto for about 3 minutes.

3. Once the sweet potatoes and bananas are almost cooked, ihalo na ang sticky rice balls at hayaan itong mag-simmer until they are cooked, mga 5 minuto while stirring occasionally. You will know the sticky balls are done kapag nagsisimula na silang lumutang isa isa. 

4. At last, ihalo na yung cooked tapioca pearls. Let it simmer for another 3-5 minutes or hanggang maluto ang lahat ng prutas. 

Side note: 

Serve it while hot kasi patuloy na lalapot yung sabaw ng Binignit while it's getting colder. 

( insert pic ng final product )

Binignit is not just a comfort and affordable food during Lenten Season, ito rin ay isang way upang magkasama-sama ang ating buong pamilya. Its thick and sweet soup would surely make everyone close and stick with one another in the Family. Ang iba't ibang root crops na sangkap dito will surely fill our stomachs to full and brimming with happiness.