Kare-Kare Pata Oxtail Stew

Ingredients

• 2 lbs oxtail, cut into 4-inch pieces
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup annatto powder
• 1 teaspoon fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 eggplants, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 cups bok choy, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped

Directions

1. In a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
2. Add the oxtail and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the onions and garlic and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the tomato sauce, beef broth, peanut butter, annatto powder, fish sauce, sugar, bay leaf, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes.
6. Add the eggplants and bok choy and continue to simmer for another 25 minutes, or until the oxtail is tender.
7. Stir in the roasted peanuts and season with additional fish sauce and black pepper to taste.
8. Serve with steamed rice.

Interesting Facts

• Kare-kare is a traditional Filipino stew made with oxtail and a variety of vegetables cooked in a thick peanut butter sauce.
• The annatto powder gives the stew its characteristic orange color.
• Kare-kare is typically served with a side of bagoong, a fermented shrimp paste.