Bistek

Bistek

 

 

Here's a dish I haven't had in a long time, mainly because quality beef is hard to find (and expensive) in the Philippines. It would be a great dish for Western cooks, though.

The name bistek actually just means "beef steak." Seriously. It's composed of thin slices of lean beef that have been marinated in a mixture of soy sauce and kalmansi juice, cooked in the marinade until tender, then cooked sliced onions added. It's really easy.

Ingredients:

1 pound lean, boneless beef steak such as sirloin

Juice of one lemon, two limes or three kalamansi

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

3 cloves garlic, crushed

1 onion, peeled and sliced

3 tablespoons cooking oil

Water as needed

Salt to taste

Instructions:

Slice the meat at an angle so you get largish, thin slices. 

Mix the soy sauce, citrus juice and pepper. Add the meat, mix well and marinate for at least one hour.

Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok. Add the onions and cook, stirring often, until they're tender and just start to carmelize (turn brown.) Remove onions and set aside.

Add the garlic to the pan and cook, stirring often, for a couple of minutes. 

Add the marinade mixture to the pan and heat until it begins to boil. Add the steak, lower heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, adding water if it starts to get too dry. The finished dish should be fairly saucy.

Add the onions and salt to taste. Remove from heat and serve with rice. Serves 2 hungry Filipinos or 4 regular people. :)