Pares: Filipino-style Braised Beef Stew

Ingredients

• 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) beef chuck, cut into cubes 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) beef chuck, cut into cubes
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 thumb-sized ginger, sliced 1 thumb-sized ginger, sliced
• 1/2 cup soy sauce 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup oyster sauce 1/4 cup oyster sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cinnamon stick 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 star anise 3 star anise
• 4 cups beef broth 4 cups beef broth
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Green onions, chopped (for garnish) Green onions, chopped (for garnish)
• Pickled vegetables (for serving) Pickled vegetables (for serving)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 12g
• Protein: 50g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sliced ginger, and sauté until fragrant.
2. 2.
   Add the beef cubes to the pot and cook until browned on all sides.
3. 3.
   Pour in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and brown sugar. Stir well to coat the beef evenly.
4. 4.
   Add the cinnamon stick, star anise, and beef broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 2 hours or until the beef is tender.
5. 5.
   Once the beef is tender, season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. 6.
   Serve the Pares hot, garnished with chopped green onions. Accompany with pickled vegetables on the side.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beef chuck — For the best results, choose well-marbled beef chuck as it will become tender and flavorful when braised.
• Soy sauce — Opt for a high-quality soy sauce to enhance the overall taste of the dish.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra layer of flavor, marinate the beef cubes in the soy sauce and garlic for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can mix cornstarch with water and add it to the pot during the last few minutes of cooking.
• Leftover Pares can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated for future meals.

Serving advice

Serve Pares with garlic fried rice and a bowl of beef broth on the side. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve with pickled vegetables for added freshness.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, arrange the beef cubes neatly on a serving platter and drizzle some of the sauce over the top. Sprinkle with chopped green onions for a pop of color.