Kare-Kare

Name: Kare-Kare
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 80 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Filipino
Ingredients: 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, cut into cubes; 1 cup smooth peanut butter; 1 medium yellow onion, sliced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 lb eggplant, cut into chunks, chunked; 1 lb sweet potato, cut into chunks, chunked; 8 oz green beans, trimmed; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 4 cups water; to taste salt and black pepper; 2 tbsp shrimp paste (bagoong alamang)

Rich peanut-based stew with beef and vegetables, finished with shrimp paste and served with fish sauce on the side.

80 minMediumServes 4420 cal/serving

FilipinoDinnerStovetopStandard

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Ingredients

2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, cut into cubes
1 cup smooth peanut butter
1 medium yellow onion, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb eggplant, cut into chunks, chunked
1 lb sweet potato, cut into chunks, chunked
8 oz green beans, trimmed
2 tbsp vegetable oil
4 cups water
to taste salt and black pepper
2 tbsp shrimp paste (bagoong alamang)

Instructions

1

Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown the 2 lbs cut into cubes beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes on all sides, about 8 minutes total. Set aside.
2

In the same pot, sauté 4 cloves minced garlic and 1 medium sliced yellow onion until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
3

Return beef to the pot and add 4 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes until beef is tender.
4

Stir in 1 cup smooth peanut butter and 2 tbsp shrimp paste (bagoong alamang) until well combined.
5

Add 1 lb chunked eggplant, cut into chunks, 1 lb chunked sweet potato, cut into chunks, and 8 oz green beans, trimmed. Simmer for 15 minutes until vegetables are tender.
6

Season with to taste salt and black pepper to taste.
7

Serve hot, traditionally with fish sauce on the side for drizzling.

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Questions

How much time should I plan for Kare-Kare?

As written, 80 minutes: 20 of prep and 60 of cooking. The longest single stretch is step 3 (30 minutes): "Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes until beef is tender."

What should Kare-Kare look like when it is ready?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 3: cook until beef is tender. Step 5: cook until vegetables are tender.

Can I skip the searing in Kare-Kare?

Step 1 reads: "Brown the 2 lbs cut into cubes beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes on all sides, about 8 minutes total." You can, but you give up flavor. The browning in step 1 builds the savory base the rest of the dish is seasoned against. Give the pieces room so the pan stays hot.

Is there a substitute for shrimp paste in Kare-Kare?

The entry for Kare-Kare calls for 2 tbsp shrimp paste (bagoong alamang). In its place: Fish sauce, or a mashed anchovy fillet, at about the same volume. For vegetarian cooking, use a dark miso.

Does Kare-Kare contain peanuts?

Yes: 1 cup smooth peanut butter. The full allergen list for this entry is peanuts and shellfish. Where the peanuts are a garnish, toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds give the same crunch. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

Can I freeze Kare-Kare?

It is not a good candidate. Refrigerate what is left of Kare-Kare within two hours and eat it within three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop. Potatoes turn grainy in the freezer, so keep this one in the refrigerator.

Serve it with

Puso side
Pancit Palabok Salad salad
Toyomansi sauce
Tsokolate drink

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