Garden and Kitchen

Beef Steak (Bistek Tagalog) perfect for three people:

Ingredients:

• 500 grams (1 lb) beef sirloin or tenderloin, thinly sliced
• 4 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons calamansi juice (or lemon juice if calamansi is unavailable)
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce (optional, for a richer flavor)
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 medium onion, sliced into rings
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, for slight sweetness)
• Salt to taste (optional, depending on your soy sauce)
• Cooked rice for serving

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Beef:
   • In a bowl, combine soy sauce, calamansi juice, ground black pepper, and minced garlic.
   • Add the beef slices, mix well, and marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for better flavor).
2. Prepare the Onions:
   • Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat.
   • Sauté the onion rings until slightly translucent. Remove and set aside for later.
3. Cook the Beef:
   • In the same pan, add the remaining oil.
   • Remove the beef from the marinade (reserve the marinade) and sear the slices in batches until brown. Do not overcrowd the pan. Set aside the seared beef.
4. Make the Sauce:
   • In the same pan, pour in the reserved marinade and add water. Let it simmer for 3-5 minutes.
   • Stir in oyster sauce (if using) and sugar. Adjust seasoning with salt if needed.
5. Combine and Simmer:
   • Return the beef to the pan and let it simmer in the sauce for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Add a bit more water if the sauce reduces too much.
6. Add Onions:
   • Add the sautéed onions back to the pan and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
7. Serve:
   • Transfer to a serving plate, pour sauce over the beef, and garnish with extra onion rings if desired.
   • Serve hot with steamed rice.

Enjoy your flavorful and tender Bistek Tagalog! 😊