Here’s the recipe of Filipino style beef steak, also known as Bistek
Try this quick and easy recipe of Filipino style beef steak which is also known as Bistek and share it with your family and friends.
According to the site of Kawaling Pinoy, Bistek is made of “beef slices braised in a mixture of citrus, soy sauce, onions, and garlic.”
Most Filipinos eat this as viand, accompanied by a steamed rice. This recipe is derived from the “Spanish bistec encebollado to suit our local tastes and indigenous ingredients.”
Before cooking the Bistek, you should remember these tips:
- Use top round or sirloin for the cut of beef but if you prefer a bit of fat marbling, chuck roast is a good option.
- Braising low and slow will give you a tender enough chew. Just have your butcher cut the beef across the grain so it won’t be tough and stringy.
- Do not skip pan-frying the beef as this step adds incredible flavor. Make sure to squeeze the marinade well from the meat and pat dry if necessary to ensure a good sear. Brown on high heat and don’t overcrowd the pan to ensure a nice outside crust.
- The beef will release a bit of juice when pan-fried. Add it along with the marinade during braising.
- Use the same pan to braise the dish; those browned bits in the pan mean maximum flavor!
- Squeeze off the marinade and use the aromatics pull the dish together. Use a fresh piece of onion as the garnish.
- Wait to season with salt until the sauce is reduced as the depth of flavor (saltiness etc) concentrates as the liquid evaporates.
- The recipe calls for lemon juice because calamansi is not always accessible. If you do, you might need to adjust amounts to as lemon has a stronger acid taste.
Here are the ingredients you need for Filipino style beef steak:
- 2 pounds top round or sirloin, sliced thinly
- 2 lemons, juiced (about 1/4 cup juice)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 onion, peeled and sliced thinly
- 1 head garlic, peeled and minced
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 cup water
- salt to taste
- 1 onion, peeled and sliced into rings
Follow these instructions for your flavorful Bistek:
- In a bowl, combine beef, lemon juice, soy sauce, sliced onions, garlic, and pepper. Massage marinade into the meat and marinate for about 30 minutes.
- Remove meat, onions, and garlic from marinade, squeezing and reserving excess liquid.
- In a pan over high heat, heat oil. Add beef and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes per side or until lightly browned. Spoon out and reserve released meat juices during frying. Remove meat.
- In the pan, add onions and garlic, and cook, stirring regularly, until softened. Return browned beef to pan.
- Add reserved marinade and meat juices. Add water and bring to a boil.
- Cover, lower heat, and simmer for about 40 to 50 minutes or until meat is fork-tender and liquid is reduced. Season with salt to taste.
- Turn off heat. Garnish with onion rings, if desired, and cover to allow onions to cook slightly in the steam. Serve hot.
Enjoy!
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