Authentic Kare Kare Recipe: Filipino Oxtail Stew

Ingredients

• 2 lbs oxtail, cut into pieces
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup rice flour
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 eggplant, sliced
• 2 cups bok choy, chopped
• 1 banana heart, sliced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon annatto seeds (atsuete) for coloring (optional)
• 1 tablespoon bagoong (fermented shrimp paste) for serving

Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat vegetable oil over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent.
2. Add the oxtail pieces to the pot and cook until they are browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Pour in the beef broth and fish sauce, then bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2-3 hours or until the oxtail is tender.
4. In a small bowl, mix the peanut butter and rice flour together with a bit of warm broth to create a smooth paste. Stir this mixture into the pot to thicken the sauce.
5. If using, soak the annatto seeds in a small amount of hot water to extract color, then strain and add the colored water to the pot for a richer hue.
6. Add the sliced eggplant and banana heart to the pot, cooking for an additional 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
7. Finally, stir in the chopped bok choy and season the kare kare with salt and pepper to taste, cooking for another 5 minutes.
8. Serve hot with a side of bagoong on the side for that authentic Filipino flavor.