Kare-Kare

Kare-Kare

Kare Kare is a traditional Filipino stew complimented with a thick savory peanut sauce. The commonly used meats for this dish are ox tail, tripe, and pork leg; on some occasions goat and chicken meat are also used. Besides the peanuts, this dish depends on the shrimp paste (on the side) in order to be fully enjoyed. Traditionally, “palayok” (clay cooking pot) is used to cook this dish and it is also used as the serving pot.


Ingredients:

3 lbs oxtail (cut in 2 inch slices) you an also use tripe or beef slices

1 small banana flower bud (sliced)

1 bundle of pechay or bok choy

1 bundle of string beans (cut into 2 inch slices)

4 pcs eggplants (sliced)

1 cup ground peanuts

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup shrimp paste

34 Ounces water (about 1 Liter)

1/2 cup annatto seeds (soaked in a cup of water)

1/2 cup toasted ground rice

1 tbsp garlic, minced

1 large onion, chopped

salt and pepper


Cooking Procedure:

In a large pot, bring the water to a boil
Put in the oxtail followed by the onions and simmer for 2.5 to 3 hrs or until tender (35 minutes if using a pressure cooker)
Once the meat is tender, add the ground peanuts, peanut butter, and coloring (water from the annatto seed mixture) and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes
Add the toasted ground rice and simmer for 5 minutes
On a separate pan, saute the garlic then add the banana flower, eggplant, and string beans and cook for 5 minutes
Transfer the cooked vegetables to the large pot (where the rest of the ingredients are)
Add salt and pepper to taste
Serve hot with shrimp paste. Enjoy!