binte biluhuta — Gorontalo, Indonesia

Binte biluhuta, also called milu siram in Gorontalo Malay, is a hot corn soup from Gorontalo, a coastal region on the northern arm of Sulawesi island. Fresh corn kernels are boiled in a light, spiced broth and ladled over a bowl already layered with shredded coconut, basil leaves, shredded skipjack tuna and shrimp. The dish is closely tied to Gorontalese identity and is served at family meals and gatherings throughout the region, usually as a starter or a light main course eaten with a spoon straight from the bowl. To prepare it, corn is cut from the cob and simmered with garlic, shallot, chili and a little lime leaf until the broth turns fragrant and slightly thickened by the starch released from the kernels. Shrimp and shredded skipjack tuna are added toward the end so they stay tender, while shredded coconut and torn basil leaves are placed in the serving bowl to be doused with the hot broth just before eating. Households vary the seasoning level, some favoring a spicier broth with extra bird's eye chili, others keeping it mild for children. The proportion of tuna to shrimp changes with what is available at the local market, and a squeeze of lime is sometimes added at the table to brighten the broth.