"Beef Kare-kare is a hearty, peanut-buttery, braised beef and oxtail stew that is bursting at the seams with veggies like eggplant and green beans with a gorgeous yellow-orange color. The wonderful thing about this slow-cooked Filipino meal, similar to beef kaldereta, is that the flavors truly blend together. It's so filling, tasty, and not at all difficult to cook! It is also a smart idea if you intend to bring this meal to a picnic, a potluck gathering or a celebration because of the color contrast of yellow orange gravy and green vegetable it may be attractively plated and served."
VAGUE HISTORY
Kare Kare's origins are quite unclear, however some accounts claim that it may have come from Pampanga, some says from Mexico, some said it may have been a royal meal of the Moro elite before the advent of the Spanish, or may have been brought by Indian soldiers who landed in the Philippines during the British Invasion. (Source: Wikipedia)
OUR VERSION
This variation of kare-kare, known as beef kare-kare uses beef chuck rather than the customary oxtail or oftentimes ox-tripe. Nevertheless, it is just as excellent as our other kare-kare variations. Also, there is the option of cooking the veggies blanched and served apart from the stew. The vegetables used in this recipe were cooked together with the stew.
Most of the time, our finest kare-kare recipe adheres to tradition which is not a shortcut to prepare the meal in a hurry. Our grandmoms used to grind the roasted peanuts using mortar and pestle and administers a slow-cook method.
However, our version is the opposite. Honestly, I am so much used to do my meals as if I am still in the workforce and I tend to carry the “fast and the furious” style along with me in my retirement kitchen. But please be patient with me as I could try to do the adjustment slowly but surely. However, I designed it in such a way that each step surpasses that of even my mother and my mother in law (who both inspired my cooking passion) in their effort to ensure that all the time spent in the kitchen is worthwhile.
RECIPE PROPER
Here we go, stay with me till the end of this session…here’s a complete written recipe with video and photos to guide you through…
BEEF KARE-KARE
WRITTEN RECIPE:
Serves 4 to 5 persons
Cooking time: 60 min
Cuisine: Filipino
Course: Main Dish
LIST OF INGREDIENTS
¾ kg Beef (any part)
1 pack Kare-kare Mix
6 tbsp. Peanut Butter
Corn Starch (for slurry)
Ground Black Pepper
Annato Oil
1 med. Size Onion
1 med. Size Tomato
3 med. Size Eggplant
150 gms. Green Beans
6 whole Bok Choy
Note: This dish is often partnered with Filipino Shrimp paste, however this would be optional. In my case, I don’t use shrimp paste, so I usually use fish sauce as alternative. The shrimp paste I displayed in my presentation is for the sake of art and for the audience to learn more about this dish.
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS
1st STEP: BLANCHING THE BEEF
1. Bring the water into a boil and blanch the beef to remove excess blood;
2. Clean up the foamy residue using a strainer;
3. Remove and put in a plate.
4. Throw the dirty water away.
2nd STEP: PRESSURE COOK THE BEEF
1. Put the blanched beef into the pressure cooker;
2. Put the onion;
3. Add the tomatoes;
4. Add 5 cups of clean water;
5. Sprinkle a dash of Ground black pepper;
6. Close the lid and pressure cook for about 15 minutes;
7. After 15 minutes, turn off heat and wait for pressure to release;
8. Open the lid and check meat if tender enough;
3rd STEP: SIMMERING
1. Turn stove back on in medium heat;
2. Add more water, about 4 cups;
3. Dissolve Kare-kare Mix powder into the cold water and add it to the broth;
4. Add some Annato Oil, quantity as desired;
5. Add the sliced Eggplants;
6. Add all the Green beans;
7. Add 6 tbsp. Peanut Butter;
8. Stir well;
9. Add Corn starch slurry until desired thickness;
10. Add all the Bok Choy on top;
11. Immediately turn the heat off and wait for the vegetable to blanch a little to the gravy;
12. Serve while it’s hot. Please check serving suggestions.
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Wow! My all time favorite dish...thanks for sharing this recipe. So simple and easy. Looks yummy too!😋