Zesty Filipino Kare-Kare with Banana Hearts and Shrimp Paste

Name: Zesty Filipino Kare-Kare with Banana Hearts and Shrimp Paste
Prep time: 2 h
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 1 lb oxtail; 1 lb pork hock; 5 cups water; 1 large onion; 2 cloves garlic; 1 bay leaf; 1 cup banana hearts; 1 cup eggplant; 1 cup green beans; 1 bunch water spinach (kangkong); 1 cup ground peanuts or peanut butter; 1 cup beef broth; 2 tablespoons rice flour; Salt and pepper; 2 tablespoons shrimp paste; 1 tablespoon oil; 1 clove garlic

A Nutty Stew with Exotic Filipino Flavors

A rich and savory peanut sauce-based stew bursting with tender meat, fresh vegetables, and unique banana hearts, served with a side of spicy shrimp paste for an unforgettable meal.

2 h 30 min
6
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Stew Base

1 lb oxtail

cut into pieces

1 lb pork hock

sliced

5 cups water

1 large onion

quartered

2 cloves garlic

crushed

1 bay leaf

For the Vegetables

1 cup banana hearts

cleaned and sliced

1 cup eggplant

sliced

1 cup green beans

trimmed and halved

1 bunch water spinach (kangkong)

ends trimmed

For the Peanut Sauce

1 cup ground peanuts or peanut butter

1 cup beef broth

from the stew

2 tablespoons rice flour

dissolved in 1/4 cup water

Salt and pepper

to taste

For the Shrimp Paste Sauté

2 tablespoons shrimp paste

bagoong

1 tablespoon oil

1 clove garlic

minced

Preparation

Marinating the Meat

Add to pot

In a large pot, add the oxtail, pork hock, water, onion, garlic, and bay leaf.

Simmer

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1.5 hours or until the meat is tender.

Reserve broth

Reserve the broth for the sauce and set the meat aside.

Preparing the Peanut Sauce

Combine ingredients

In a saucepan, combine the ground peanuts, reserved beef broth, and rice flour mixture.

Toast the peanut mix a little in the pan for extra flavor.

Thicken sauce

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.

Ensure the peanut sauce is smooth—lumps can spoil the texture.

Season

Season with salt and pepper.

Cooking Process

Stew Creation

Combine the cooked meat and thick peanut sauce, ensuring even coverage and enhanced flavor absorption.

Vegetable Integration

Add banana hearts, eggplant, and green beans to the mixture and simmer for another 10 minutes.

Finishing Touch

Stir in the water spinach last, let it wilt slightly before removing from heat.

Plating & Serving