Binignit is considered a type of lugaw (rice gruel) and guinataán (dishes cooked in coconut milk).
Preparation
The meat of a mature coconut is grated and the "thick" milk (coconut cream) is extracted. Two cups of water are then added to the grated coconut, and a second extraction is made. This becomes the "thin" milk. This "thin" coconut milk extract is added to cubed kamote (sweet potato), gabi (taro) and ube (purple yam), sliced ripe sabá bananas, langka (jack fruit), and tapioca pearls. Sometimes, young coconut meat strips are also added. This is simmered on low to medium heat, to prevent the coconut milk from curdling. Glutinous rice (pilit) is added once the root crops have sufficiently softened and the mixture is brought to a boil; being stirred occasionally until done. Just before removal from the flame, the "thick" coconut milk is added.[4]
For the people of Panay, their version contains balls made of glutinous flour, as well as jackfruit. The balls are formed and boiled until they float, indicating that they are cooked. These are then added to the linugaw or eangkuga. This is similar to the preparation of bilo-bilo but the locals call it by eangkuga or linugaw.
Cultural significance
A popular afternoon snack, it is best served when hot. Others serve it chilled or even frozen, eating the dessert much like ice cream. Among the Visayan people, the soup is also widely cooked and eaten for the Holy Week, especially during Good Friday when observant Catholics fast and avoid meat.[6][7][8]