Filipino-American Fusion Stew

Ingredients

In this Filipino-American adaptation of Bosanski lonac, we incorporate Filipino-American ingredients and flavors to create a unique fusion dish. We replace some of the traditional Bosnian ingredients with Filipino-American staples, such as using soy sauce and fish sauce for added umami flavor. Additionally, we add a touch of sweetness by including brown sugar and pineapple juice. These modifications enhance the dish's taste and give it a distinct Filipino-American twist. We alse have the original recipe for Bosanski lonac, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) beef stew meat, cubed 500g (1.1 lb) beef stew meat, cubed
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 small cabbage, shredded 1/2 small cabbage, shredded
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 cup pineapple juice 1 cup pineapple juice
• 4 cups beef broth 4 cups beef broth
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 8g
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the beef cubes and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
2. 2.
   In the same pot, sauté the onion and garlic until fragrant and translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the potatoes, carrots, and cabbage to the pot and cook for a few minutes until slightly softened.
4. 4.
   Return the beef to the pot and add the soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, beef broth, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
5. 5.
   Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded together.
6. 6.
   Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beef stew meat — For a more tender result, you can marinate the beef in the soy sauce and pineapple juice mixture for a few hours before cooking.
• Cabbage — Shred the cabbage finely to ensure it cooks evenly and blends well with the other ingredients.
• Fish sauce — If you prefer a milder flavor, you can reduce the amount of fish sauce or substitute it with Worcestershire sauce.

Tips & Tricks

• For a thicker stew, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with water and add it to the pot during the last few minutes of cooking.
• Serve the stew with steamed rice or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.
• Feel free to add other vegetables like green beans or bell peppers to customize the stew to your liking.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
• This stew can also be made in a slow cooker for a convenient hands-off cooking method.

Serving advice

Serve the Filipino-American Fusion Stew hot in individual bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro for a pop of color. Accompany it with steamed rice or crusty bread to complete the meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, place a few slices of cooked beef on top of each bowl of stew. Sprinkle some chopped green onions or chives for added freshness and visual appeal.