Beef Kare-Kare

Beef Kare-Kare is a traditional Filipino stew made with tender beef (often oxtail, shank, or tripe) simmered in a rich peanut-based sauce, served with vegetables and accompanied by bagoong (fermented shrimp paste) on the side. It’s a festive dish often prepared for special occasions and family gatherings.

Ingredients:

• Beef chuck sliced into cubes
• String beans also known as snake beans, cut into 2 inch length
• Bok choy lower end tip cut-off
• Eggplant sliced
• Ground roasted peanuts
• Annatto powder
• Glutinous rice powder
• Yellow onion
• Minced garlic
• Cooking oil
• Fish sauce
• Beef broth
• Ground black pepper
• Water

Instructions:

1. Heat the oil. Sauté the onion and add the garlic. Continue to sauté until the onion gets soft.
2. Sprinkle some ground black pepper. Stir. Add the beef and cook until the color turns light brown.
3. Put the ground peanuts in with the beef. Stir and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Pour the beef broth in the pan. Let boil. Cover and simmer until the beef gets tender (around 60 to 90 minutes.). You can add water or beef broth if needed.
5. Meanwhile, prepare to blanch the string beans, eggplant, and bok choy. Boil 4 cups of water in a pot. Put the vegetables in boiling water by batches. Boil the string beans for 2 minutes. Remove from boiling water and immediately put in a bowl with cold water and ice. Remove from the bowl with cold water and put in a clean plate. Do the same steps for the remaining vegetables.
6. Once the beef gets tender. Add the fish sauce and the mixture of annatto powder, ½ cup water, and glutinous rice flour. Stir. Continue to cook until the texture of the sauce thickens (3 to 5 minutes in medium heat).
7. Transfer to a serving bowl. Arrange the blanched vegetables on the side and top with shrimp paste (bagoong alamang).
8. Serve with warm rice. Share and enjoy!