Tiyula Itum — Mindanao, Philippines

The black soup of the Tausug of Sulu owes its color and smokiness to coconut meat toasted into charcoal, pounded and stirred into the broth. Beef or goat with ginger, turmeric and lemongrass; it is the wedding dish and the one served to honored guests. The name literally means 'black soup'.

Ingredients

600 g beef or goat, cubed
1/2 cup coconut meat toasted to charcoal, pounded
1 tbsp grated ginger
1 tsp turmeric
1 lemongrass stalk, bruised
1 onion and 4 cloves garlic
2 siling labuyo chilies (optional)
5 cups water

400–550 kcal per typical serving. large bowl + rice (estimated from the typical recipe)

Where to try it

Jolo
Zamboanga

More history on Wikipedia: Tiyula itum

How it is made

Toast coconut meat in a dry pan until nearly black; pound it.
Brown the meat with onion, garlic, ginger and turmeric.
Cover with water, add lemongrass and boil 1-1.5 h until tender.
Stir in the burnt coconut: the broth turns black and smoky.
Adjust salt and serve with rice and chili on the side.