Kare-kare

This is one of my favorite dish. I miss my mother's cooking. Without further ado, here's how to cook Kare-kare without the tripe and okra (lady's fingers). If you're in a hurry, just grab a sachet of Mama Sita's Kare-Kare sauce mix (contains peanut butter).

If you have family with peanut allergy, substitute with black beans.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs oxtail
• 1 lb beef chuck
• 6 cups of water
• 1 cube beef stock
• 1 banana heart
• 2 large eggplant (brinjal); cut into 1" thick
• 1 medium pumpkin; cut into bite size portions 
• 1 bundle of long beans/string beans; cut into 3" lengths
• 1 bundle of bak choy/gai lan (Chinese broccoli); cut into bite size portions
• 1 1/2 tbsp annatto powder
• 1 1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
• 1 medium onion; peeled and sliced thinly
• 4 - 5 cloves of garlic; peeled and minced
• Dash of pepper

Instructions:

1. Trim excess fat from the oxtail. In a deep pot, place oxtail and enough water to cover. Over medium heat, bring to boil, skimming off scum. Lower heat, cover and simmer, adding more water as needed to maintain 6 cups for about 2 to 3 hours or until oxtail is tender. Reserve broth.
2. Peel and discard the outer fibrous skin layers of the banana heart until you reach the lighter soft core. Trim off stem and discard. Cut the banana core into half and into fourths. In a bowl of cold water, place cut banana and soak for 15 - 20 minutes. Using hands, squeeze to release the bitter sap. Rinse will cold water and drain well; discarding the liquid.
3. In a pot over medium heat, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the banana heart, eggplant, longbeans and bak choy. Blanch for 1 minute. Remove from liquid and set aside.
4. In a small bowl, combine annatto powder and 1/4 reserved broth. Stir well until dissolved. Combine peanut butter and 1/2 cup reserved broth and stir well until blended.
5. In a large pot over medium heat, heat oil, add onions and garlic until cooked. Add beef chuck. Cook until brown and tender. Add oxtail stirring occasionally.
6. Add the remaining 5 cups of reserved broth and bring to simmer. Add annatto water and peanut butter mixture stirring to combine. Season with pepper. Continue to simmer for 10 minutes. Add vegetables. Serve with shrimp paste (bagoong) or fish sauce on the side.