Beef Kare-Kare recipe

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Beef Kare-Kare is a traditional Filipino stew known for its rich and creamy peanut sauce. It's a dish often served during special occasions and gatherings. Here's an overview of Beef Kare-Kare:

Ingredients:

  1. Beef: Typically, oxtail, tripe, or beef shanks are used for Beef Kare-Kare. These cuts are stewed until tender and flavorful.
  2. Peanut Sauce: The key component of Kare-Kare is its thick and savory peanut sauce. Ground peanuts or peanut butter are mixed with annatto seeds (achuete) for color, garlic, onions, and sometimes ground rice or toasted rice flour to thicken the sauce.
  3. Vegetables: Commonly added vegetables include string beans (sitaw), eggplant (talong), banana flower (puso ng saging), and bok choy (pechay). These vegetables add texture and flavor to the dish.
  4. Shrimp Paste: Kare-Kare is traditionally served with bagoong alamang, a salty shrimp paste, on the side. This condiment provides a contrast to the richness of the peanut sauce.

Preparation:

  1. Cooking the Beef: The beef is typically simmered in water with onions, garlic, and sometimes peppercorns until tender. This process may take a few hours to achieve the desired tenderness.
  2. Making the Peanut Sauce: The peanut sauce is made by sautéing garlic and onions, then adding ground peanuts or peanut butter, annatto water (water infused with annatto seeds), and sometimes ground rice or toasted rice flour to thicken the sauce. The mixture is simmered until thick and creamy.
  3. Adding Vegetables: Once the beef is tender and the peanut sauce is ready, the vegetables are added to the pot and cooked until they are tender but still slightly crisp.
  4. Serving: Beef Kare-Kare is typically served hot, with the peanut sauce generously poured over the meat and vegetables. It is often accompanied by a side of shrimp paste (bagoong) and eaten with steamed rice.

Variations:

  • Some versions of Kare-Kare may include additional ingredients such as tripe, pork hocks, or seafood.
  • The peanut sauce can be adjusted according to personal preference, with variations in thickness and flavor intensity.
  • While traditionally made with beef, Kare-Kare can also be prepared with other meats like pork or chicken.

Overall, Beef Kare-Kare is a hearty and flavorful dish that showcases the unique blend of Spanish, Malay, and indigenous Filipino flavors in Filipino cuisine.

Here are a few additional points about Beef Kare-Kare:

Cultural Significance:

  • Kare-Kare is considered a signature Filipino dish, deeply rooted in Philippine culinary heritage.
  • It is often served during fiestas, family gatherings, and celebrations, making it a dish associated with special occasions and bonding moments.

Regional Variations:

  • While Beef Kare-Kare is popular throughout the Philippines, there can be regional variations in its preparation. For example, in Pampanga, a province known for its culinary traditions, Kare-Kare might include more complex flavors and additional ingredients.
  • Some regions may use different types of meat or variations in the peanut sauce, reflecting local preferences and ingredients available.

Modern Twists:

  • As with many traditional dishes, chefs and home cooks often put their own spin on Beef Kare-Kare. This could involve incorporating modern cooking techniques, experimenting with different vegetables, or adding unexpected ingredients to the peanut sauce.
  • In contemporary Filipino cuisine, you might find interpretations of Kare-Kare in upscale restaurants that present the dish in innovative ways while still honoring its traditional roots.

Nutritional Aspects:

Beef Kare-Kare is a nutritious dish, as it incorporates various vegetables along with protein-rich beef.

  • Peanuts used in the peanut sauce are a good source of healthy fats, protein, and various vitamins and minerals.
  • However, like many rich stews, Beef Kare-Kare can be high in calories and fat, especially if made with fatty cuts of meat and excessive amounts of peanut sauce. Moderation is key when enjoying this delicious dish.

Culinary Heritage:

  • The origins of Kare-Kare can be traced back to the pre-colonial era, where indigenous cooking methods and ingredients were combined with influences from Spanish colonization.
  • The use of peanuts in savory dishes is believed to have been introduced by Spanish colonizers, while the addition of indigenous vegetables and spices reflects the culinary practices of the Philippines' diverse regions.

These additional insights highlight the depth of Filipino culinary culture and the enduring popularity of dishes like Beef Kare-Kare, which continue to be cherished and enjoyed by people both in the Philippines and around the world.



Here are the typical ingredients used in making Beef Kare-Kare:

  1. 1.Beef: Oxtail, tripe, or beef shanks are commonly used. You can choose whichever cut you prefer, but oxtail is traditional.
  2. 2.Peanut Sauce:
  3. Ground peanuts or peanut butter: Provides the base for the sauce, giving it its distinct peanut flavor.
  4. Annatto seeds (achuete): Used for color. It gives the sauce its characteristic orange hue.
  5. Garlic: Adds flavor to the sauce.
  6. Onions: Provide aromatic flavor to the sauce.
  7. Ground rice or toasted rice flour: Helps thicken the sauce.
  8. 3.Vegetables:
  9. String beans (sitaw)
  10. Eggplant (talong)
  11. Banana flower (puso ng saging)
  12. Bok choy (pechay) or Chinese cabbage
  13. 4.Shrimp Paste (Bagoong Alamang): Traditionally served as a condiment on the side. It adds a salty and savory contrast to the richness of the dish.
  14. 5.Other Aromatics and Flavorings:
    • Fish sauce (patis) or salt: To season the dish.
    • Annatto water: Used to extract the color from annatto seeds, which is then added to the peanut sauce.
    • Pepper: Adds a hint of spiciness to the dish.
  15. 6.Water or Beef Broth: Used as the cooking liquid for simmering the beef and vegetables.
  16. 7.Cooking Oil: Used for sautéing the garlic and onions for the peanut sauce.
  17. 8.Optional Ingredients:
    • Tripe or pork hocks: Some variations of Kare-Kare include additional meats for added flavor and texture.
    • Chili peppers: For those who enjoy a bit of heat in their Kare-Kare, chili peppers can be added to the peanut sauce or served on the side.

These ingredients come together to create the rich and flavorful Beef Kare-Kare that is beloved in Filipino cuisine. Adjustments can be made based on personal preference and ingredient availability.






 

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