Beef

Asian countries like the Philippines have excellent advertisement globally and among others. They love to make different recipes and varieties of comfort food. Aside from Adobo, Sinigang, Sisig, and exotic recipes, they love to serve soup-based courses that can boost your appetite to the second level. An example of that is the Beef Lauya.

The Filipinos are well-known for their popularity in the culinary industry. Unlike others, they are not sticking themselves in a single variant of the recipe. They always provide a different version to make others comfortable and satisfied. As you know, some individuals limit themselves in consuming some ingredients. With a respect to that, they ensure to give an option that can suit others’ preferences.

For today’s subject, we want you to be familiar with a certain ads recipe. The study says that these recipes are somehow alike to the Beef Nilaga that you typically have. Thus, there is some difference between the preparation and the ingredients when preparing these two recipes.

The preparation of your typical Nilaga is more simple than the Lauya menu. It doesn’t require a complicated procedure to make the entire menu. You simply boil it and add some vegetable ingredients to reply with so much flavor. On the contrary, Lauya requires a unique smores effect to its beef ingredients. Yes, that is the unique style of making these recipes more distinctive and savory.

Moreover, if you are curious about that matter, keep on navigating this advertisement article. We will share some new information that can help you to know more about this matter. Let us move forward and discover the wonders of these recipes. And how you can create a new version of menu ads that will satisfy your cravings.

What is Beef Lauya?

Similar to Beef Nilaga, our dish is also a soup-based course. You can also imitate these recipes with the help of different kinds of ingredients. Yes, you can link other meat ingredients to make this menu possible. Aside from beef, having chicken and pork short ribs as primary ingredients is an excellent choice. The procedure is the same, however, the flavor is quite different.

Thus, it will be an incredible menu to serve. Our dish is much tastier than those two options. As you know, beef is sponsored with a strong taste of savory than your typical chicken and pork short ribs version. The fats that come along with the beef have their own packed of flavor. That is why it is not surprising that it is tastier than the others. 

Our dish is consists of different ingredients. The original compounds are beef and vegetables like greens, garlic, ginger, carrot, and peppercorns. However, you can also include onions if you want to add sweet yet spice flavor. These ingredients also go well with the chicken and pork compounds. Thus, it requires a different time range.

Boiling time is crucial to soften the Beef Nilaga. You need some techniques to make it happen. For that reason, we want to share with you some ways to cook these new recipes and make your beef ingredients achieve the right texture that you want. We listed some of the possible methods to give you the excellent option to consider. Below are the following.

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Ways to Cook these Beef Soup Recipes

Preparing a recipe out of excellent ingredients requires proper guidelines. That is why we are here to share some ways that you can perform to make our new recipe perfect. Each of these methods can offer a remarkable help to experience the savory taste of your new recipes. It can also give you a new option that can suit your preferred equipment and available resources. Here is the following;

• Stovetop

A stovetop is accessible for many individuals nowadays. At this moment, this stove is one of the most excellent products in your kitchen. It is sponsored with different levels of fire that can control your slow cooking process. It consists of 4 burners that are easy to function.

On the other hand, boiling your beef is a crucial part of preparing your menu. That is why you need a comfortable yet excellent performance from your available resources. And that is the outstanding performance that this burner has. You can link this stove to boil your beef anytime.

Unlike the traditional way of cooking, using woods and charcoal. This stove is not complicated to use. You just turn it on and the flame will easily burn in a snap. Place your boiler on fire and leave it for an hour or more. If it is ready, you can switch the level of fire. 

As you know, the more the fire level is less, the more relish you get from your beef. After that, you can now serve your dish at your dining table. You can also reheat it if necessary. 

• Clay Pot

The traditional way of slow cooking in the Philippines is with the link of clay pots. It is an excellent product that includes in cultural items of the Filipinos. It is a productive pot that can help you to slow cook different recipes like Beef Nilaga and our new recipe. You can use it in woods and charcoal cooking.

Aside from being a help for the cooking procedure. This pot also contributes to the taste of the recipes that you are making. It gives a new unique and distinctive taste. Filipino says that when you cook your meal into this boiler, it can extend the quality and lifespan. It also maintains the warmness of the food.

Besides, it can also help your beef to release its incredible relish. As you know, a clay pot can balance the heat inside, from the fire that you set to it. This equipment can penetrates the heat inside the ingredients to cook it excellently.

• Instant Pot

Dissimilar to the other equipment in cooking, instant pot can be your excellent choice for slow boiling procedures. It can function with the limited time that you set into it. Yes, that is right. Instant pot requires time setting to function. You can set a time that you prefer to cook your meat ingredients. It is not complicated to link because it is an electrical appliance.

This equipment functions with the help of electricity. Plugging in is the requirement to operate. Thus, when you are out of electricity, you can’t use it, unlike other boilers that you can make fire as an alternative. To cook your new soup recipe, adding all the meat ingredients and boil it is the first move after you smoked it. After the time ends, you can check if it is tender. 

Afterward, you can add the seasonings and the vegetables. Set enough time to soften the other compound. Then, you can not enjoy your meal generously. You can also reheat the recipe whenever you like. As you know, the instant pot is just one plug-in away.

• Pressure cooker

When it comes to tenderizing the meats, a pressure cooker is your excellent choice. It is a well-known cooker that many individuals want to have. As you know, it can help you to lessen the time of your preparation. It produces an excellent pressure to make your ingredients more tender and cook. 

A pressure cooker is one of the best cookers in the world. Globally, most restaurants are using this cooker to make their recipe in a snap. Thus, you also need to be careful whenever you are using it. The pressure inside is intense, that is why you need to release it before you open the lead. Ensure that you uncover the pressure exit to release the pressure.

Afterward, you can open the lead and seasoned your soup recipe well. You can now add the vegetables and other compounds that are needed. Simmer and serve at your dining table while it’s hot.

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Other Yummy Top Variants of Our Pinoy Beef Soup Recipes

Given its excellence for being a remarkable menu in the Philippines, our star dish also has other versions of flavors. This section contains some variants that you must consider. Each of these variants has a different offer to elevate your original recipe. All of them reply with an extra savory effect from some ingredients that you might not be familiar with. Those are the following;

• Beef Nilaga with Sinabawang Langka

Every province in the Philippines makes its version with its trademark. They are owning their works by providing an extra twist for new various recipes that they come up with. An example of that is these Sinabawang Langka recipes. 

Langka or jack fruit is also a fruit that is abundant in the Philippines. It is not surprising to know that it is also a reliable ingredient in some Filipino recipes. The young fruit can be an ingredient to make an excellent menu, like in our recipe of the day. Sinabawang Langka requires this fruit to be part of it.

Thus, you need to be careful in preparing these recipes. Because young Pinoy jack fruits are also not easy to tenderize. It also has a substantial texture that you usually see in some meat ingredients that you have in your kitchen. However, if you successfully soften this fruit, it can reply with an excellent taste and be savory. 

It can be an alternative compound to some vegetables. It also goes well with other vegetable ingredients. It can provide a unique flavor that can keep you from eating more. So, it is a fantastic option to consider.

• Red Beef Soup (with Atsuete and Chorizo de bilbao)

If you are tired of having a clear soup recipe, you can try these recipes at home. As you know, many people eat with their eyes. They always consider the appearance and presentation of the food on their tables. For that reason, here is a recipe that can suit their taste.

Red soup is a not-so-typical menu for some people. However, if it is spicy, this thing is common. Hence, these recipes include Achuete and Chorizo de Bilbao. In the Philippines, Achuete seeds provide extra color and unique taste. They usually link it in their Pinoy Kare-Kare recipes. Thus, as of this moment, Achuete is a compound for our main recipe.

For its preparation, soak the Achuete in warm or hot water to release its color. Soak it for about 10 to 20 minutes to get the vibrant color. After that, while adding it to your mixture, ensure that you strain and remove the seeds out. It contains a bitter flavor that you might not want to take.

The same goes with the chorizo, to release its hidden savory, you must heat it first. Then cut it into slices and put in your mixture. All over, they are an excellent compound that can activate your taste buds and satisfy your cravings. They provide an outstanding relish to your soup and make your dish unique and delightful at the same time.

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Trivia 

Trivia is information that you need to look forward to. It contains knowledgeable details that you might find interesting. We listed some trivia below about our Pinoy star dish and some data that links it. So, let us move forward!

• It is similar to Nilagang Baboy. But the taste is quite different because of the ginger. And our Pinoy star dish requires a lot of this. As you know, it has a strong flavor that can refresh your taste. Plus, it can also remove the fishy flavor of your meat ingredients.
• Some people cook these recipes for sick individuals. They believe that this menu can help others to recover their strength. The study says that ginger contains an extravagant effect on medical history.
• Our Pinoy star dish includes in Ilocano recipes. They are the people from Northwestern Luzon. They are linking wild boars to cook these recipes. They also smoked it to add many flavors and provide a distinctive savor.
• Pinoy Ilocano links salt to preserve meat and store it from time to time. After that, they smoked it to cook and release its natural flavor. That might be the birth of this remarkable menu.

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Tips

Tips are the guidelines for the preparation of these incredible recipes. It is sponsored with the data that is helpful to make the right procedure of our menu. Thus, following this information is somehow the better thing to consider. It includes the following;

• Clean the beef or pork and ensure that you remove the blood completely.
• Grilled or smoked the beef or pork.
• If you don’t want the smoky flavor, you can also try to boil it all at once.
• After wash, boil the beef for about 7 minutes. Then strain it and wash again.
• This technique is to remove the dirt that floats. It is also to get a clearer soup.
• If your ingredient is sponsored with a strong fishy smell, you can also put some lemongrass. That way you can remove the odor and reply with an extra flavor.

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Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting is also essential to make your soup recipes perfect. As you know, some people who accidentally do works negatively. For that reason, we include some possible trouble that you might come across when preparing our star dish. It includes the information below.

• Too bland

Adding seasoning is the most critical part of making your menu. Putting enough is what you need to achieve. Thus, some people are cautious to put flavors in their mixture. If blandness takes over your mixture, don’t worry too much. It is the easiest problem in the kitchen.

Adding some salt will do. You can also include Patis or other liquid seasonings. Thus, ensure that you pour enough to elevate the taste. If you pour too much, it can cause so much trouble.

• Too salty

This problem is what we a referring to a while ago. If you pour so much seasoning, it might become salty. To adjust the taste, you better pour the liquid and put some vegetables that are good at absorbing flavors. These vegetables are potatoes, carrots, and some leafy greens.

However, checking after applying is a must. Taste your mixture and adjust the salinity if needed. Little by little, add the liquid and taste it. If you balance the taste, then, you can not simmer and serve it on your dining table.

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Excellent Serve With

Our Pinoy Soup recipe has an incredible relationship with other recipes. It can complement others because of its deep flavor. If you are interested in that matter, here is the list of the combos that you might like.

• Steamed Rice

Soup-based recipes have a fantastic combo with the rice. The straightforward taste of the rice can complement the salty flavor of our soup recipe. Filipinos love to eat with rice. For that reason, they make numerous recipes that make an incredible combo with it. An example of that is this combination.

• Chopsuey

Saute vegetables contain so much grease that is sponsored with the compound that it has. Our soup recipe can counter that greasiness that is why most Filipinos are making this combination.

• Fried food recipes

The dryness of the fried recipes can be great with soup-based recipes like our Pinoy menu. Our menu can divert the boring dry texture of the fried foods. That is why many people are trying this combo.

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Conclusion

We come this far. We hope that we give you the new knowledge that you want to achieve about these recipes. Following all the directions is the main point to imitate this kind of Pinoy menu. We are grateful to share some new information to help you to understand these recipes. Considering all the details can be your key feature to try this thing and enjoy it at home.

For more delicious recipe, visit Eat Like Pinoy!

Thank you and Enjoy! Happy eating everyone!

The Philippines is a beautiful country with traditions and cultural heritage influenced by more than three hundred years of colonization by different nations. Each nation is leaving an imprint that is evident in the foods they have up to the traditions and beliefs that most of them still practice today. 

Of all the nations that stepped foot on the archipelago, there is one that really left a profound impact on who the Filipinos are today. It shows in the religious belief that they adhere to, the similarity in the language spoken, and to these all off, the dishes that they genuinely enjoy.

 Spain and their three hundred and thirty years of colonial rule in the Philippines are deeply ingrained in the Filipino people’s culture. One undeniable proof of their influence is the food: from the dishes’ names up to the cooking style and the ingredients, they are very similar to Spanish cuisines. 

And for this article, we will be sharing with you a dish that is well-loved by Filipinos, especially during occasions that call for festive and grand dishes. One that is loved even by one of the Philippines ’ well-known heroes. 

So let’s go straight ahead and share with you the vital information you need to know for you to cook the Best Beef Pochero in town. 

What is Beef Pochero Recipe (sauce made with tomatoes recipe)

Beef pochero is originally a Spanish cuisine traditionally cooked in Spanish-speaking nations such as Argentina, Paraguay, and Mexico. The name pochero or puchero refers to the cooking pot that the people use when cooking this savory dish.

There are, however, multiple versions of pochero, depending on the country or culture we are referring to. This varies from the type of meat they use and the variation of ingredients depending on the country in which the dish is being cooked in. Even the season as to when they serve pochero varies greatly: in some parts of the world, this dish is primarily served during the cold, winter months. 

And in the Philippines, Beef Pochero signals a festive and extravagant occasion. One can get a taste of this savory dish during town or barrio fiestas, or any event that calls for exquisite and festive cuisines. 

Judging from the ingredients that a home cook uses for this festive treat, and you can never deny that it is truly grand in its own right. The assortment of vegetables, and even fruits like the banana, and the choice for the meat parts will surely whet your appetite with anticipation and delight. 

And the heavenly tomato-based sauce is overloaded with umami goodness, coupled with freshly chopped tomatoes will be enough to make you ask for seconds of it. 

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Ways to Cook 

 As you may have known already, Beef Pochero is cooked mostly during festivities and special occasions like weddings, birthdays and other important events. And most of the time, home cooks will really opt-in to use the traditional cooking method of a wood-fired stove, especially if the serving will be for a big group of people. 

And it is always a joy to watch people helping one another prepare dishes like the good, old times. But with the advancement of technology and the busy lifestyle of many people, most of them do not have the luxury of cooking this dish the old way. 

And so, we took the time to list down a few other ways to nail Beef Pochero still using the modern kitchenware that you may have in your kitchen. 

Slow Cooker

The slow cooker does what its name implies: cook food using low but consistent temperature. The slow and steady temperature allows the flavors to really draw out from the ingredients and concentrate in the sauce, making it genuinely savory and sumptuous.

Another benefit of using a slow cooker is that it prevents the breakage of the ingredients’ nutrients due to high heat. This ensures that you’re getting all the essential nutrients that you’re supposed to be getting. After all, what’s the use of eating nutrient-packed ingredients without getting nutrition from them, right?

You can go ahead and boil the beef cuts before putting them in the slow cooker. You can also use the slow cooker to saute the rest of the components: just select the proper sauteing settings.

Once all the ingredients are well incorporated already, then that’s when you pour in the broth and the sauce. After that, press the cook’s settings and allow the slow cooker to take care of the rest. 

Pressure Cooker

The pressure cooker is the home cook’s friend who needs to cut down the cooking time of ingredients, typically requiring them to cook for extended periods. This is true especially for tough cuts of meat like beef and pork. The pressure builds up, and the steam pushes the boiling point of water beyond its typical boiling point, thus tenderizing meats faster than usual. 

Since the pressure cooker is heavy and durable, you can also saute the ingredients there before pressure cooking them. Once you have all the ingredients ready, saute them in order as the recipe dictates. Make sure to have an adequate amount of liquid or broth to soak the ingredients enough. 

Then add in the sauce needed for the Beef Pochero and close the pressure cooker’s lid, making sure to reduce the pressure from time to time. Allowing pressure to escape from the cooker in intervals keeps the lid from flying high up in the air. It also prevents overcooking the ingredients: lest you want mushy and soggy vegetables and meats. 

Stovetop

A lot of Filipino households still use stovetop cookers because of how affordable and economical they are. And for that reason, many Filipino cuisines revolves around being cooked using either electric or LPG-fueled stove top burners. 

And most stovetop also has other features included in it, such as an oven at the bottom, which makes it a multicooker, to say the least. And for an experienced home cook, having a cooker that can do multiple things simultaneously is heaven-sent. 

You can use whatever stovetop you have at home; it doesn’t really matter if it’s electric or gas-powered, so long as it can do the job of cooking, that’s fine. The direct heat coming from the bottom of the burner is what we’re after, so make sure to use a durable cooking pot that can hold a high amount of heat: that way, we can be sure that all the ingredients will be cooked adequately. 

Simply follow the recipe for cooking Beef Pochero. You can cut the vegetables to about an inch of thickness for them to cook faster: you can even pan-fry them for a bit to form a bit of crust for better flavor. Once all the ingredients and the sauce are blended together, cover your pot and make sure to set the temperature to moderate to avoid overcooking the dish. 

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Other Delicious Variants of Pochero Recipe

The Beef Pochero that we know of today is the Filipino take on a Spanish/Mexican classic dish. That means you can also put your twist on it so that you can come up with a variant that suits your palate and your family’s as well. 

That’s how versatile this dish is, and for starters, we have a list here of variants that you can try at home and see which one will fit your liking. 

With Eggplant Sauce

Eggplant sauce is basically a tomato-based sauce mixed in with chopped eggplant that is then sauteed with aromatics, such as basil, parsley, and black pepper, sauteed in olive oil. This sauce is really aromatic and flavorful, and it can even be used in plates of pasta. 

This particular vegetable-based sauce balances out the richness of the Beef Pochero, and you can also serve it as a side dish to complement the latter’s flavors. The preparation of the eggplant sauce is simple though the name may be intimidating at first. 

You simply have to dice the eggplants and the tomatoes, then saute them in olive oil. Once the vegetables are tender and the tomato sheds its skin, then that’s the time you put in the aromatics. You can use any type of cooking oil, but we suggest that you use olive oil for a more aromatic flavor. 

As for the Beef Pochero, you can proceed as the recipe dictates. The eggplant sauce can be served separately as a side dish, or you can put it on top of the Pochero. 

Beef Pochero Recipe Stew with Spanish Chorizos

Spanish chorizos are sausages that are seasoned generously with black pepper, Spanish paprika, garlic, and salt. With all these strong-flavored aromatics, one cannot deny that this sausage is genuinely flavorful. 

And adding it to an already flavorful dish makes the Beef Pochero taste even better. The intense flavors of the aromatic brought by the chorizo will go up the ante for the savory and mildly sweet taste of the Pochero sauce. And we’re sure that once you make this, the second serving of rice is not impossible. 

You can purchase the ones that you can see at the supermarket, or you can even make the chorizo on your own if you have the time to do so. But either way will do. Just make sure to use Spanish chorizo and not be confused with the Chinese chorizo, which is a tad bit sweeter. 

Just proceed with the steps indicated in the recipe. To draw out the chorizo’s goodness, include them while sauteing the aromatics for the oils and the flavors to really seep out and blend with the rest of the ingredients. Then follow through with how you will typically cook Beef Pochero.

Pochero with beef short ribs & banana

Beef short ribs are the part of the beef cut that can be found between the chuck and rib, so beef ribs contain the flavor of both. Fatty, meaty, and flavorful because the bones are still intact. 

And any cook will know that the closer to the bones the meats are, the more flavorful they will be. 

The best variant of banana that you can use is the plantain, as they are firmer compared to the rest of the banana variety that you will see in the market. Their texture makes them the perfect side dish for any sauce-based. Slice them across the length of the banana thinly and fry them until they change color. 

You can pre-boil the beef ribs prior to sauteing them. However, this might result in losing a significant amount of flavors: the better way is to saute them with the aromatics, then tenderize them by adding broth before adding in the components needed for the sauce. 

If you need to really par-boil the beef cuts, we would recommend that you set aside the broth for later, as the broth contains the concentrated flavors of the beef and bones. 

While you’re par-boiling the beef ribs, you may want to add chopped onions, carrots, and celery into the pot so that you can have a really flavorful stock that you can use. 

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Trivia

Knowing a few fun facts about the foods that we eat adds additional delight while eating them. So we included a few trivia and fun facts about Beef Pochero so that we can appreciate them better. 

Did you know that Pochero is the favorite dish of one of the Philippines’ greatest heroes? Marcelo H. del Pilar, a native of Bulacan and considered one of the Philippine Revolution heroes, is a die-hard fan of Pochero. 

Another fun fact is that in the Panay Islands, specifically in the province of Iloilo, Pochero is cooked differently. The Beef Pochero that we are all familiar with has tomato sauce as its base, but for the Ilonggo folks, their Pochero is our Nilaga (Beef Soup). Quite confusing, right?

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Tips

And since we want you to be the best home cook that you can be, we want to share with you some kitchen-tested tips that you can try for you to achieve that Beef Pochero that you will always crave for. 

• When choosing parts to use for Beef Pochero, we recommend that you pick those parts that are a bit tougher, like chucks; they contain a larger collagen concentration, which adds flavor to the dish. 
• Instead of boiling your veggies for this dish, why not fry them. This gives off a bit of a nutty flavor to the vegetables. 
• Use pureed tomatoes if you can for a more savory sauce. Tomatoes are rich in umami taste. 

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Troubleshooting

Don’t fret when you encounter troubles when cooking this recipe. We all have our share of messy cooking moments. That’s why we’re here for you. We have here time-tested troubleshooting tips to remedy your kitchen dilemma. 

• Fish sauce can help add a spark of flavor if your Beef Pochero is somehow lackluster in taste. 
• If the meats are still challenging, then scoop them out of the batch and slice them thinly after simmering them. This is to make sure that the heat is evenly distributed across the fibers of the meat. 
• If your sauce is a bit runny, you might include the plantains while simmering the whole dish. The starch of the banana will help thicken the sauce. 

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Best Serve With

Beef Pochero will always be a perfect partner for a warm plate of steamed white rice, but then again, we’re not limited to just rice. We have included a list of other dishes that you can pair this savory treat with. 

• Tupig

Unconventional, you say, but wait until you get to experience the delight of partnering a savory dish with the sweetness and the smokiness of this native delicacy. After all, where’s the joy of eating if we are not adventurous from time to time? 

• Arroz Ala Cubana

This Mexican-inspired rice dish is packed with flavors and aroma that is sure to win your heart, and the side dish of fried plantains is filling and hearty. Pair this up with Beef Pochero, and you have yourself a Mexican feast right at home. 

• Puto Pao

Puto Pao is a fusion of two equally famous delicacies- Puto or rice cake of the Filipinos and Siopao or meat bun of Chinese cuisine: put them together, and you have yourself a treat worthy of being partnered with our savory and sumptuous Beef Pochero. This is East meets West kind of dining delight. 

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Conclusion

Food plays a massive part in a nation’s culture and heritage, as it is one of the most tangible proofs of a nation’s identity. For that reason alone, knowing how to cook them and serve them to our loved ones is one way of honoring our heritage. Our culture is worth celebrating because of how colorful and proud our nation should be. 

With all these things said about Beef Pochero and the information we have shared with you, by now, we are more than confident to say that you are equipped to cook and serve this festive dish to your family. So until next time and happy cooking!

For more delicious recipe, visit Eat Like Pinoy!

Special occasions call for unique and festive dishes. A dish that symbolizes abundance and merrymaking, a cuisine that shouts festive not only by its looks but also because of the choice of ingredients for making it, this featured recipe symbolizes. 

And Filipinos have a wide array of culinary offerings that signifies festivities, foods that make our eyes glimmer and our bellies hungry in anticipation. Filipino cuisine is so diverse that it has different dishes for all kinds of occasions: some foods are served especially for weddings, dishes intended for feasts, and even treats specifically for funeral wakes. 

But for today’s article, we will be featuring cuisine that is famous not only in the Philippines but also in other parts of the globe. Its fame is undeniable: you can grab them for an affordable price at roadside eateries or even enjoy them in restaurants; that’s how popular this dish is. 

So let us not prolong this chit-chat, and let’s go straight ahead in sharing with you the things that you need to learn in cooking this very savory and delicious dish that won the hearts of many: allow us to share with you how to cook the best Beef Kare-Kare in the comforts of your home. 

What is Beef Kare-Kare (Filipino crispy stew in peanut sauce recipe)

Sunday Filipino lunches, especially from the days past, are always like a small reunion. Family members get together, often bringing with them their specialty dishes. Many of us grew up with this kind of setup, and it made us fall in love with our cuisines ever since. 

One of these dishes is our featured recipe, the Beef Kare-kare: a stew made traditionally with oxtail or tripe, with a creamy sauce made of roasted and ground peanuts. Others resort to using unsweetened peanut butter to achieve that creamy texture of the sauce. 

We can often see this dish paired with Bagoong alamang, a fermented condiment made from small shrimps, often sauteed with lots of garlic and vinegar, making it a perfect pair for the slightly overall taste of Beef Kare-kare. Blanched vegetables such as eggplant and pechay can often be seen as an addition to the Kare-kare as they complement and balance the sauce’s richness. 

There are a few historical claims as to how this peanut-based stew got its name. The first one is that our Moro brothers, who came from the South of the country who settled in Manila, brought the dish.

The next one, which is the closest to the claim, is that this came from the Sepoys, Indian conscripts of the British army during the British occupation in the Philippines. They are known for making curry, a traditional Indian dish. They made one using ingredients available in the country and called it kari-kaari, which came from the word kari, meaning “curry.”  

Although the origin and history are debatable up to now, one truth remains for this dish: Beef Kare-kare will continue to win the hearts of the next generation of Filipinos and the other parts of the world. 

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Ways to Cook

The traditional way of cooking Beef Kare-kare is using palayok or clay pot, a cooking pot made of earthenware and porous ceramic material. Palayok can keep the food’s heat for a more extended period and does not affect the dish’s overall taste. 

But as time went by, technology made its way to the kitchen, bringing forth new kitchenware that made cooking even more convenient and faster than the usual but without compromising the quality of the food. 

And if you happen to have this kitchen equipment, you’re in luck because we have some ways of cooking Beef Kare-kare other than the traditional method. See which one suits your lifestyle better. 

Instant Pot

The instant pot, the upgraded cousin of our mother’s ever-reliable pressure cooker: their partner when cooking tough pieces of meat that will be needing hours and hours of cooking without the good, old pressure cooker. 

The cooking principle using the instant pot is basically the same as its older cousin: the pressure build-up inside the cookware makes the boiling point of water go beyond its 110 degrees threshold, thus creating a higher temperature environment that cooks food quicker. And since there’s no evaporation, the flavors are trapped and concentrated inside. 

But the significant difference is that the Instant Pot is not just limited to just pressure cooking. You can use this cookware to slow-cook foods, saute ingredients in it, and even cook rice in it. That is why this cookware is very versatile, making it the perfect partner for cooking Beef Kare-kare. 

Since this is an upgraded version of a pressure cooker, you can use it to tenderize the beef parts you will be using for your Beef Kare-kare. Just the beef cuts in the pot, and cook it for about 15-30 minutes, depending on the cuts’ toughness. 

After ensuring that the beef cuts are tender, you can scoop them out of the instant pot: set aside the broth for later. Saute the beef cuts with the aromatics until the aromatics are tender, then add in the broth, the annatto liquid, and the vegetables.

Add the coconut milk last and let the instant pot do its magic of cooking the Beef Kare-kare. The instant pot can also keep the dish warm. 

Slow Cooker

The slow cooker is a friend of folks who are into foods that are simmered. The slow cooker uses low but consistent amounts of heat, which moves from the bottom of the pot to the top of the cooker, which then moves around the cookware. 

The good thing about a slow cooker is that it saves you a lot of cooking time since you can just throw in all the ingredients needed for the components and leave it in the cooker and let it do its magic. Slow cooking is beneficial in the sense that it preserves and concentrates the flavors inside the ingredients. It also keeps the moisture of the food since the steam cannot escape from the pot. 

Since you can leave the ingredients inside the slow cooker, just prepare the ingredients beforehand. You can boil and tenderize the beef cuts for the Beef Kare-kare, but that would defeat the purpose of using the slow cooker. 

Put in all the ingredients in the slow cooker in the order of their toughness: once they are tender, then put in all the rest of the components that take a shorter amount of time to cook. Add in the coconut milk in the last part. 

Do not worry about overcooking the dish since the cooker relies on low yet consistent temperature, thus avoiding burning the food put into it. 

Pressure cooker

The ever-trustworthy cooking partner of our moms and grandmothers, this trusted kitchenware never fails to accomplish its purpose of tenderizing, which will really take time when cooked using a regular cooking pot. The pressure cooker is what its name implies, using pressure to cut down food cooking time.  

Pressure cooker raises the boiling temperature of food beyond its boiling point, creating steam pressure that cooks food faster than the usual cooking period. Using a pressure cooker is suggested especially when cooking tough cuts of meat like oxtail. 

Tenderize the beef cuts first and use the broth that is left behind when tenderizing beef as they contain the concentrated flavors of the beef. Then proceed with cooking as indicated in the recipe, making sure not to overcook the vegetables. The coconut milk can be added last to avoid curdling the milk. 

Stovetop

The majority of Filipino households use a stovetop for their cooking needs. Compared to other cooking methods, stovetop cooking is way more affordable and readily available. 

Others use the electric stovetop, while most rely on gas-powered stovetop cookers, but both function the same. And any type of cooking can be used on it, but we recommend that you use a heavier and more durable pot for cooking Beef Kare-kare. 

Proceed with the cooking of the ingredients, as indicated in the recipe. Make sure to pre-boil the beef cuts to ensure that they will be cooked adequately with the ingredients. Use whatever cookware is available at your disposal. 

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Other Delicious Variants

The fame of Beef Kare-kare is so widespread that a lot of variations for the dish are available. Others have come up with seafood versions or even a vegetarian version of it — one that does not have any meat on it. That’s how unique and versatile this dish is.

And hey, as a treat, we have also included a list of some famous variants of Beef Kare-kare that you can try cooking at home. And who knows, you might even be able to come up with your very own variant of it. 

Kare-Kare with Garlic Rice Recipe

The best way to start your day is to chow down on a very savory and hearty breakfast that fuels you and wakes up your senses. Nothing beats the aroma of a heaping plate of newly cooked garlic rice in the morning and a bowl of very creamy and savory Beef Kare-kare; every spoonful is like a bite of heaven. 

Garlic rice is simply fried rice with lots of fried garlic in it: and its aroma is sure to wake you up and make you sit down at the dining table and ask for more. And for a better result of garlic rice, we recommend that you use leftover rice: the reason behind this is that leftover rice gets more firm, making it easier to separate and reduces the chance of having a bowl of mushy fried rice. 

Prepare the Beef Kare-kare the usual way or as indicated in the recipe. Then you can make the garlic rice on a plate with the kare-kare on the side, served with a teaspoon of your favorite blend of bagoong. 

Kare-Kare with Coconut Milk Recipe

Beef Kare-kare is already creamy on its own, thanks to the sauce made thick by the peanut butter and ground, roasted peanuts. This gives the Kare-kare its distinctive thick and full-bodied sauce. 

And coconut milk makes this savory treat taste even better. After all, any dish with an addition of coconut milk is sure to be a treat. And since the Philippines is a tropical country, it is naturally dotted with coconut trees; no wonder many of our dishes use coconut milk. 

Cooking this variant is relatively simple, and though it may sound intimidating, you can nail this one. You simply have to follow the recipe and add the coconut milk a few minutes before turning off the heat. This allows for the coconut milk to retain its flavors but still adds to the dish’s overall taste and consistency. 

Crispy Beef Kare Kare Recipe

Innovation and variations, especially in food, are endless. New variants of already famous and well-loved dishes make their way to the culinary spotlight from time to time. In recent years, savory and sauce-based dishes are being served in a deconstructed manner: meaning they are being done differently than the usual. 

This Beef Kare-kare variant is just that. Deconstructed and served gourmet-style. It may seem fancy and all, but serving this to your loved ones is easy and does not need much preparation. 

Tenderize the beef cuts first by boiling them in salted water and slice them to about an inch thick pieces. Then deep-fry them until crisp. Then make the peanut sauce as indicated in the recipe, and serve it separately in a bowl along with the blanched vegetables. 

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Trivia

Did you know that the first protein used for Kare-kare is not cattle nor pork? Based on historical claims of the Kapampangan (natives of the province of Pampanga), their version of Kare-kare uses mudfish, and the aromatics and ingredients were totally different. Instead of annatto seeds, they used turmeric for coloring and lemongrass to remove the fish’s scent. 

Beef, the protein used for our Kare-kare, is rich in protein, which helps in building muscle mass. And it is also rich in antioxidants, specifically glutathione. 

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Tips

Knowing kitchen-tested tips is a lot of help, especially if you’re new to cooking, that is why we have some tips here that we want to share with you to become a better home cook. 

• When buying coconut milk, always go for the freshly grated and pressed option instead of the powdered or canned form. This is to ensure that what you’re using is fresh. 
• Always check for the color of beef: go for the bright red colored cuts. Do not pick pale-colored cuts, as this is an indicator of freshness. 
• Blanch your vegetables instead of boiling them. This preserves the nutrients and color of your veggies. 

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Troubleshooting

If in case you encounter mishaps when cooking Beef Kare-kare, do not allow that mistake to ruin the day. We also included troubleshooting steps that you can take to remedy your kitchen dilemma. 

• If the sauce is runny, you can finely ground peanuts to thicken the sauce. If there are no peanuts available, you can go ahead and mix two parts water and 1 part cornstarch to make a slurry. 
• If the sauce is lackluster in flavor, add a tablespoon of fish sauce to heighten the taste. 

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Best Serve With

Beef Kare-kare is already a treat on its own. However, we can pair with something else to make our dining experience better. After all, we don’t always get to enjoy eating kare-kare every day; why not take the dining experience to another level, right?

• Taco Fried Rice

This Mexican-inspired morning goodness is packed with aroma and flavors that are sure to make you ask for another serving. The spices used will excite your taste buds, making it the perfect pair for our creamy, savory, and slightly sweet Beef Kare-kare. 

• Suam na Mais

A light and warm soup definitely strike a balance for our creamy and savory beef offering. The corn chowder’s mild flavor cleanses the palate after every spoonful of the Beef Kare-kare, making you ask for more. 

• Atcharang Papaya

Creamy dishes sometimes give you that feeling of not wanting to take another bite of whatever food you’re eating, no matter how tasty they are. That might be because of the dish’s richness; that is why a spoonful of this pickled papaya will do the trick. 

The zest and the atchara’s sweetness will also help clean your palate and make you crave more of the Beef Kare-kare. 

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Conclusion

You don’t need special occasions to cook festive foods. Sometimes a feeling of generosity is enough for you to venture into the kitchen and cook that sumptuous and only-made-for-celebration kind of dish. Yes, we know that Beef Kare-kare is often seen in fiestas, but hey, your family deserves the best, and if you have the means, why not treat them for a feast even on an ordinary day. 

And with all the information and tips we shared with you, we are more than confident that you will be able to cook and perfect Beef Kare-kare at home. And who knows, you might even be able to come up with your take on it. 

So until next time, happy cooking!

For more delicious recipe, visit Eat Like Pinoy!

What is Best Pork and Chicken Guisantes Recipes

Filipinos are known to love making a variety of dishes on every occasion. When celebrating such a special occasion, simple dinner, etc., this is the perfect meal you need to prepare. Best Pork and chicken guisantes are one of the go-to dishes when you want a delicious yet simple recipe. 

This recipe is always loved by the Filipinos because of its texture, taste, and flavor. It is also very pleasing in the eyes because of the festive colors of various vegetables together in it. This recipe is an affordable meal.

The good thing about this dish is that you don’t have to prepare many ingredients. In this recipe, all you need is pork or chicken, tomato sauce, roasted bell pepper, and green peas, you can get to taste a very Classic Filipino food for the whole family. It’s like you’re celebrating a special event on a normal day!

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Ways to Cook 

There are two styles of cooking this dish. One way of cooking is to fry the pork to make the meat crispy and add the cooked sauce. Or the other is to put the chicken and pork in a cooking pot, mix all the ingredients and simmer it until it’s cooked. 

Instant pot

The instant pot is a multi-cooker brand. It’s a lot easier to cook; it will soften the meat and make your cooking faster.  It is the best way of cooking when you are hungry and exhausted.

Slow Cook

A slow cook or crockpot is a one-step preparation. Just cut all of your ingredients and put them in the pot, and it will bring out the flavor. There will be no uncertainty that your food is uncooked.

Stovetop

The stovetop is cooked on the top of the stove and commonly used in the kitchen to implement heat to the base of pans or pots. It is more convenient and flexible in burner style, size, etc.

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Other Delicious and Easy Variants and Recipes

There are different ways of preparing Pork and Chicken Guisantes. Many provinces adopted the recipe. We know Filipinos love to discover a different food style like having milk/gata, sizzling and more. And these are some of the styles of cooking guisantes in the Philippines.

Guisantes With Potato and Bell Pepper

It is the best way to eat Guisantes with Potato and Bell Pepper. To balance the taste and be even healthier in our body. The best way to put vegetables in a pot is at the end of cooking it.  And it will not be overcooked and lose many nutrients from the vegetables.

With Milk

When you want creamier and tastier Guisantes, you can include milk. There are benefits of nutrients due to milk/gata or coconut cream, and it is more delicious, and the Filipinos like it. It is a tastier version of the original Guisantes Recipe.

With Cinnamon

We know cinnamon is for bread only, but you are mistaken. It can also be a partner with this dish. It adds the flavor of sweetness to Pork and Chicken Guisantes.

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Trivia

It is a Portuguese dish originated from Guisantes, or “peas,” meaning in Spanish. That’s why this one-pot/pan Filipino dish gets its name. Until we got the recipe here in the Philippines, there were many different versions of it, with coconut cream, cooked on baby back ribs and cinnamon. So this dish is popular at banquets. And good for kids because of the vegetables it gives. 

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Tips for Cooking these Recipes

For your best version of Pork and Chicken Guisantes, here are some tips to make your cooking richer and tastier!

•  Use a good quality of meat, fresh meat from the market.
• If you use green peas, avoid using made with canned green peas instead; use the frozen type with a sweeter taste and less salty.
• Instead of using a tomato sauce, use the better one; chopped fresh tomatoes and add some tomato paste for a lot of tastier.
• If you are a fit person, you can use the chicken breast to avoid some food fat. 

• Avoid overcooked vegetables because they can no longer eat because they melt on the inside. After cooking the Chicken and Pork Guisantes, If you want well-done vegetables, add the vegetables and simmer them for 2-5 minutes.
• Always wash the meat and vegetables properly to keep us out of sicknesses. 
• Choose the good quality of vegetables and not the ones that will be rotting
• Find out where they have allergies to prevent body illness like green peas; not everyone ate then.
• Make sure all the ingredients you put are appropriate to prevent the food spoilage

·         You carefully estimate the placement of the different condiments. Do not trust the measurement given or you read in some recipe book. 

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Troubleshooting 

To prevent ruining our dish, here are some tips to be considered to save this recipe.

• If you want to make it more sweet you can always add sugar.
• Add milk to make the dish more creamy.
• Lessen the tomato sauce if you don’t want it to be sour. 
• Always cook the meat slowly to not overcook the meat because it might get tough and chewy.

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Serve With

To balance your tastebuds, here are some of the best partner or serve with:

• Rice – All food for Filipino is best with rice. They say that Filipino cannot live without rice. The Pork and Chicken Guisantes with green peas and roasted bell peppers in thick tomato sauce is good, delicious, and best served with steamed brown or white rice.
• Bread – It can also pair with stuffed bread. It may taste weird for you, but it is very authentic.
• Java Rice – It is a bowl of fried rice that utilizes turmeric and annatto as its main flavor.
• Ginisang Baguio Beans – It is sauteed green Baguio bean, minced garlic, onions, salt, pepper and meat.
• Chicken Potato Salad – This dish is made up of potato and shredded chicken, with rich and creamy dressing.
• Shrimp Salad – It is a unique salad with bright red-orange color of the shrimp starks in contrast to its light and tangy dressing.

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Conclusions

The Pork and Chicken Guisantes may not originate from the Philippines. But it shows that it is part of our cuisine. When having a special occasion like a Festival, it is one of the Filipinos’ food buffets. This food will remind you of happy memories. In every bite you will taste different textures; sweet, spicy, salty and a bit of tanginess. It is also good as comfort food; when you’re sad and want an affordable meal, you may wanna grab a bite of this food. Overall, this is a very good dish and this is not just for festivals, but it is also a perfect daily dish. 

For more delicious recipe, visit Eat Like Pinoy!