Beef Kare-Kare

Kare-kare is a meat and vegetable peanut stew. It is one of the yummiest Filipino food that one can try. Unlike other Asian peanut recipes that can be sweet, this dish is on the saltier side. Expect a hint of sweetness from the peanuts and saltiness from the shrimp paste.

Shrimp paste can be bought in Asian or Filipino food stores. You can also check the local supermarket’s Asian food aisle as well. If you are not too keen on the idea of using this ingredient, just flavor the stew with salt according to your taste. This recipe is best eaten with rice and it goes perfectly well with crispy pork knuckle.

 

Ingredients:

1/2 lb. ox tripe, cut into 3 inch pieces

1/2 lb. beef cubes

4 medium sized eggplants, sliced thickly

1/4 lb. string beans, cut into 2 inch pieces

1/4 lb. banana blossom, coarsely chopped

1 liter beef broth

3 tablespoons oil

5 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup peanuts

1 cup sticky rice

Salt to taste

Shrimp paste for serving

 

First boil the ox tripe in a large pot of boiling water for 30-45 minutes or until soft. Do the same for the beef cubes. You may also use a pressure cooker to reduce cooking time to half. Remove from heat and drain. Reserve the broth.

While waiting for the beef, ground the peanuts and the sticky rice using a food processor or a mortar and pestle. Set the peanuts aside. Place the ground sticky rice on a medium sized saucepan and cook it for 3-5 minutes until toasted or light brown.

Pour half of the beef broth in a pot over high heat. Bring it to a boil. Add the string beans and cook it for 2-4 minutes until they are bright green. Transfer the string beans to a plate and then drain the excess water. Do the same for the eggplants and the banana blossoms. Only this time cook them until soft. Place the vegetables on a plate to cool slightly.

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté the garlic until fragrant and golden brown. Add the cooked beef cubes and the ox tripe. Stir-fry it for 5 minutes until the edges are brown. Pour the remaining beef broth into the pot. Increase the heat to high and then stir in the ground peanuts and rice. Bring it to a boil. Cook it for 10-15 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Lightly season with salt,

Add the vegetables and stir. Ladle the kare-kare into a serving bowl and serve with shrimp paste and plain rice.

 

Photo Courtesy Of: dbgg1979