Beef Pares Recipe
Beef Pares is a classic Filipino comfort food made from tender, slow-braised beef in a savory-sweet sauce, served with aromatic garlic fried rice and a light clear soup. It’s a well-loved dish that combines bold flavors and comforting textures, perfect for any meal.
Ingredients
For the Beef Pares:
- 1 lb beef brisket or shank cut into chunks
- 4 cups water
- 3 cloves garlic crushed
- 1- inch piece of ginger sliced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 star anise
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Sauce:
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce optional for extra umami
- 1 cup beef broth reserved from cooking the beef
- 1 tbsp cornstarch for thickening
- 1 tbsp water for cornstarch slurry
For the Sides:
- 2 cups day-old rice
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp oil for frying the garlic rice
- 4 cups beef broth for the soup
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Green onions chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare the Beef:
- In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add beef, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. Let it simmer for 1 hour or until the beef is tender.
- Skim off any impurities that float on the surface and discard.
- Once the beef is tender, remove it and set it aside, reserving the broth for the sauce and soup.
Make the Sauce:
- In a pan, heat oil and sauté garlic, onions, and ginger until aromatic.
- Add soy sauce, brown sugar, and oyster sauce. Stir well.
- Pour in 1 cup of the reserved beef broth, along with star anise. Let it simmer for 10 minutes.
- Mix cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Add it to the sauce and stir until the sauce thickens. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Combine Beef and Sauce:
- Add the cooked beef to the sauce, coating it thoroughly. Let it simmer for an additional 5 minutes until the sauce is thick and glossy.
Prepare Garlic Fried Rice:
- In a separate pan, heat oil and sauté minced garlic until golden.
- Add day-old rice to the pan, breaking up any clumps. Stir well, allowing the garlic flavor to infuse into the rice. Season with salt and pepper.
Prepare Soup:
- In a small pot, reheat the reserved beef broth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let it simmer until ready to serve.
Serve:
- Plate the beef with a side of garlic fried rice and a bowl of clear beef soup. Garnish with fresh green onions for an extra pop of color and flavor.
Notes
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbs: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 8g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sodium: 600mg