Filipino-Style Stewed Beef Brisket Kaldereta and Traditional Vegetable Dishes

Welcome to the vibrant and diverse world of Filipino cuisine, where flavors burst with a delightful mix of sweet, sour, and savory notes. Traditional dishes in the Philippines are typically kept simple, focusing on uncomplicated, yet satisfying flavours and this easy-to-make stew is a classic example. Rooted in rich culinary traditions passed down through generations, Filipino food is a reflection of the country's history and cultural heritage.

Filipino-Style Stewed Beef Brisket Kaldereta

This hearty braised beef dish made with stewing beef cut from Brisket or Cross Rib, includes potatoes and sweet peppers in a rich, tomato-based sauce. It is a powerhouse of nutrients, providing protein the way nature intended. Serve with steamed rice to soak up the sauce.

Recipe Quick Facts

• Author: ThinkBeef
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 1/4 hours
• Total Time: 2 hours 40 mins
• Yield: Serves 8

Ingredients

• 2 lb (1 kg) Beef Brisket or Cross Rib Pot Roast, cut into 2-inch (5 cm) chunks
• 2 to 4 tbsp (30 to 60 mL) canola or sunflower oil, divided
• 2 onions, chopped
• 8 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tomatoes, chopped
• 4 cups (1 L) no-salt-added beef broth
• 1 cup (250 mL) tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) soy sauce
• 4 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 carrots, sliced
• ½ cup (125 mL) liver spread or pâté
• 2 EACH sweet red and green peppers, sliced
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Pat beef dry with paper towel. Heat 2 tbsp (30 mL) of the oil over medium-high heat in a large pot. Add beef cubes, in batches as necessary, and cook for about 8 minutes, turning with tongs, until browned on all sides.
2. Transfer beef to a bowl with a slotted spoon and add more oil to the pan as necessary between batches.
3. Add onions and garlic to the pot; cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes, until soft. Add tomatoes; cook, stirring occasionally, for about 8 to 10 minutes, until they break down.
4. Stir in broth, tomato sauce and soy sauce; bring to a boil, stirring and scraping up brown bits from pot. Return beef and accumulated juices to the pot.
5. Cover and cook in preheated 325°F oven or reduce heat to low and simmer on the stovetop for 1½ to 2 hours, until beef is fork-tender.
6. Stir in potatoes, carrot and liver spread. Cover and return to oven or simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
7. Stir in red and green peppers, cover and return to oven or simmer for 5 minutes, until peppers are tender-crisp. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

TIP: Canned liver spread is popular in the Philippines and can be found in well-stocked supermarkets, Filipino grocery stores and online. A soft, creamy-style liver pâté can be used instead.

Slow Cooker Method

Proceed with the recipe as directed, using a minimum 5-qt (5 L) cooker in place of the large pot and the following modifications:

• Ingredients: Decrease beef broth to 2 cups (500 mL); cut potatoes and carrots into large chunks.
• Use a large skillet to brown beef and transfer to slow cooker instead of a bowl as pieces are browned.
• Continue to use skillet to cook vegetables. Reducing beef broth to 2 cups (500 mL) and bring mixture to bowl. Pour sauce over beef in slow cooker. Stir in potatoes, carrot and liver spread.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 6 hours, until meat is tender.
• Stir red and green peppers into slow cooker; cover and cook on HIGH for 15 minutes, until peppers are tender-crisp. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

How to Keep Vegetables Looking Vibrant

Wondering how to keep vegetables fresh and vibrant looking come mealtime? One aspect that sets Filipino cuisine apart is its emphasis on vegetables. Try these cooking methods to preserve the natural flavor without any bitterness.

• Blanching: Blanching is when you immerse the vegetables for a quick short few minutes of time in hot boiled water, then quickly remove and then shock in an ice-cold water bath. This preserves the flavor, texture, and color of vegetables, making your dishes more inviting and delectable.
• Stir-fry: Another way to keep all the vegetables' bright colors and crisp textures is by stir-frying. Stir-frying is when small cuts of vegetables are cooked quickly in a small amount of very hot oil while stirring so the vegetables do not rest on the hot pan to prevent them from burning.

Recipe Roundup of Filipino Dishes with Vegetables

In this sampling of fan-favorite Filipino food dishes cooked using vegetables, you can discover healthy and delicious weeknight meals:

• Vegetable Filipino Pancit Noodles: Stir-fried egg noodles combined with chicken and vegetables flavored with savory umami sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or for a large gathering.
• Quick and Easy Shrimp Sinigang: A light, yet satisfying sour soup that takes less than 20 minutes to make using shrimp or prawns with fresh vegetables like eggplant, okra, string beans, and spinach.
• Chicken Tinola: A healthier version of a Philippine Chicken Soup dish with Chayote. A great comfort food anytime of year.
• Beef Nilaga (Bulalo): This favorite comfort food includes cabbage, broccoli, and green onions. It is healthy, simple to make, yet oh so tasty!