Kare kare is a traditional Filipino stew that is widely enjoyed across the country. It is a hearty dish made with peanut-based sauce, meat, and vegetables, and is often paired with bagoong (fermented shrimp paste) and rice. If you’ve never tasted kare kare before, you’re in for a treat. And if you have, why not learn to make it yourself at home?

Making kare kare can seem intimidating, especially if you’re not familiar with Filipino cuisine. However, with a bit of preparation and patience, you can make a pot of delicious kare kare in the comfort of your own kitchen. In this article, we’ll take you through the step-by-step process of making kare kare, including all the essential ingredients you need and tips to help you achieve the perfect balance of flavors. So, let’s get started!

SECTION 2 – MAKING KARE-KARE: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

1. Preparing the Ingredients:

Before you start cooking, it’s important to gather all the necessary ingredients for making kare-kare. Here are the ingredients you need:

– 1 kg of oxtail or beef tripe
– 1 bundle of sitaw (long beans)
– 1 medium-sized Chinese cabbage or pechay (bok choy)
– 1 eggplant
– 2 cloves of garlic
– 1 onion, diced
– 1 cup of ground peanuts
– 3-4 cups of rice washing or water
– 2 tablespoons of annatto powder
– 3 tablespoons of cooking oil
– Salt
– Pepper

2. Preparing the Oxtail or Beef Tripe:

If you’re using oxtail, cut it into smaller pieces to make it easier to cook. If you’re using beef tripe, clean it thoroughly and remove any dirt or impurities. Boil the oxtail or beef tripe in water for 30-40 minutes until it’s tender.

3. Preparing the Vegetables:

While waiting for the oxtail or beef tripe to cook, wash the vegetables and cut them into bite-sized pieces. The sitaw should be cut into 2-inch lengths, the Chinese cabbage or pechay should be cut into 1-inch pieces, and the eggplant should be cut into cubes.

4. Making the Kare-Kare Sauce:

In a separate pan, heat the cooking oil and sauté the garlic and onion until they become fragrant. Add the ground peanuts and annatto powder and stir until combined. Pour in the rice washing or water gradually while stirring, making sure that the mixture doesn’t form lumps. Add salt and pepper to taste.

5. Combining the Ingredients:

Once the oxtail or beef tripe is tender, drain the water and add it to the kare-kare sauce. Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes until the flavors are well combined. Then, add the vegetables and let it cook for another 5-7 minutes until they become tender.

6. Adjusting the Flavor:

After cooking, taste the kare-kare and adjust the flavor by adding more salt and pepper as necessary.

7. Serving:

Kare-kare is best served hot with bagoong (shrimp paste on the side) and rice. You can also garnish it with chopped spring onions or toasted ground rice for added texture and flavor.

8. Storing Leftovers:

If you have leftover kare-kare, store it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. It can last for up to 3 days. Make sure to reheat it thoroughly before serving again.

9. Kare-Kare Variations:

There are many ways to customize kare-kare according to your liking. You can use different meat such as pork or chicken, or add other vegetables like okra, squash, or string beans. You can also use cashew nuts or peanut butter instead of ground peanuts to make the sauce creamier.

10. Tips:

– If you don’t have annatto powder, you can use annatto seeds and steep them in hot water to extract their color.
– For a healthier version, you can remove the fat from the oxtail or beef tripe before cooking.
– To make it easier to eat, you can remove the bones from the oxtail pieces before adding them to the sauce.
– For a more flavorful kare-kare, you can add sautéed shrimp paste to the sauce or use homemade broth instead of rice washing.

Ingredients and Equipment for Making Kare-Kare

Kare-kare is one of the most popular Filipino dishes known around the world. It is a stew that is traditionally made with oxtail, beef tripe, and various vegetables, all cooked in a thick, savory peanut sauce. The dish originated in Pampanga, a province in the central region of the Philippines, but its popularity has spread rapidly throughout the country.

If you want to make kare-kare at home, you will need several ingredients and specialized equipment to ensure that you achieve the best possible results. Here are some of the essential things you will need to make kare-kare:

1. Oxtail or beef tripe
The base meat for kare-kare is usually either oxtail or beef tripe. These meats are cooked until they become tender and flavorful, adding richness and depth to the kare-kare. You can get these meats from your local butcher or from the meat section of your grocery store.

2. Peanut butter
Peanut butter is the star ingredient in the kare-kare sauce. Be sure to choose a high-quality peanut butter that has a rich nutty flavor and is not too sweet.

3. Vegetables
The vegetables used in kare-kare can vary depending on your preference. Traditionally, eggplant, Chinese cabbage, and green beans are used. You can also add banana heart or banana blossom for a more traditional flavor.

4. Special kare-kare mix or bagoong
Kare-kare mix or bagoong is essential to give kare-kare its distinct flavor. Kare-kare mix is a powdered blend of spices that includes annatto, which gives the sauce its characteristic orange hue. Bagoong, on the other hand, is a shrimp or fish paste that adds a savory umami flavor to the dish.

5. Rice flour
Rice flour is used as a thickener for the kare-kare sauce. It is also gluten-free and makes the sauce smoother and more lustrous.

6. Annatto oil
Annatto oil is used to give color to the kare-kare sauce. Annatto is a natural coloring agent derived from the seeds of the annatto tree, which is commonly grown in Mexico and South America. You can make annatto oil by steeping annatto seeds in oil until the oil becomes bright orange.

7. Pressure Cooker
Cooking kare-kare may take hours. Pressure cooker cuts down the cooking time and reduces the time you spend in the kitchen.

8. Large pot or casserole
You need a large pot or casserole to prepare the kare-kare mixture.

9. Stirring Spoon
The stirring spoon helps you mix all the ingredients properly.

10. Serving Bowl and Ladle
Lastly, you need a serving bowl and ladle to present your kare-kare dish. Remember to serve it with rice and bagoong.

Once you have all the necessary ingredients and equipment, you’re ready to start making kare-kare. The following sections of this article will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to make the dish from start to finish.

Ingredients for Making Kare Kare

Kare Kare is one of the most beloved dishes in the Philippines. This slow-cooked, peanut butter-based stew can be made with a variety of meats, vegetables, and spices. Here are the essential ingredients to make a delicious Kare Kare:

Ingredients Quantity
Peanut Butter 1 cup
Beef (sirloin, oxtail, or tripe) 2 lbs
Eggplant 2 pcs
Bok Choy 2 pcs
String Beans 1 cup
Banana Blossom 1 cup
Garlic 4 cloves, minced
Onion 1 medium, minced
Ground Annatto (Achiote) 1 tsp
Salt 1 tbsp
Pepper 1 tbsp
Water 6 cups
Oil 2 tbsp

Choosing the Meat

Traditionally, Kare Kare is made with oxtail or tripe. You can also use beef sirloin or shank if you prefer. Make sure that the meat is cut into serving pieces and boiled until it’s tender.

Preparing the Vegetables

Aside from meat, the star of Kare Kare is the vegetables. Make sure to use fresh and tender produce. Peel and slice the eggplants into 1-inch pieces. Cut the string beans and bok choy into bite-sized pieces. Soak the banana blossom in water until tender, then slice into small pieces.

Making the Kare Kare Sauce

The rich and flavorful sauce of Kare Kare is made from peanut butter, garlic, onions, and ground annatto. Sauté the garlic and onions in oil until fragrant. Add the peanut butter and ground annatto and mix well. Pour in the water and bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until the sauce thickens.

Cooking the Kare Kare

Once the meat is tender, add the Kare Kare sauce to the pot, along with the vegetables. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for another 10-15 minutes until the vegetables are cooked through. Serve hot with bagoong (shrimp paste) on the side and steamed rice.

Variations on Kare Kare

Kare Kare can be made with a variety of meat and vegetable combinations. You can try using pork hocks, chicken, or seafood instead of beef. You can also add other vegetables like cabbage, okra, or pechay to the stew. Some people also like to add a bit of sugar or honey to balance out the saltiness of the dish. Experiment with different flavors and find the Kare Kare that suits your taste buds.

Time to Enjoy Your Kare Kare!

Congratulations on learning how to make kare kare! We hope this recipe has inspired you to try your hand in the kitchen and cook up some delicious Philippine cuisine. Remember, cooking is all about experimentation, so don’t be afraid to tweak this recipe to suit your taste buds. We hope you enjoyed reading this and that you come back for more exciting recipes in the future. Thanks for stopping by and happy cooking!