''Bistek'' (from
Spanish: ''
bistec'', "
beefsteak"), also known as ''bistek tagalog'' or ''karne frita'', is a
Filipino dish consisting of thinly-sliced
beefsteak braised
Braising (from the French word ''braiser'') is a combination-cooking method that uses both wet and dry heats: typically, the food is first browned at a high temperature, then simmered in a covered pot in cooking liquid (such as wine, broth, coco ...
in
soy sauce
Soy sauce (also called simply soy in American English and soya sauce in British English) is a liquid condiment of Chinese origin, traditionally made from a fermented paste of soybeans, roasted grain, brine, and '' Aspergillus oryzae'' or ''Asp ...
,
calamansi juice, garlic, ground black pepper, and onions cut into rings. It is a common staple in the
Tagalog
Tagalog may refer to:
Language
* Tagalog language, a language spoken in the Philippines
** Old Tagalog, an archaic form of the language
** Batangas Tagalog, a dialect of the language
* Tagalog script, the writing system historically used for Tagal ...
and
Western Visayan regions of the
Philippines. It is eaten over white rice.
Description
''Bistek tagalog'' is made of strips of beef
sirloin or
tenderloin, usually flattened with a meat tenderizing tool, it is marinated then
braised
Braising (from the French word ''braiser'') is a combination-cooking method that uses both wet and dry heats: typically, the food is first browned at a high temperature, then simmered in a covered pot in cooking liquid (such as wine, broth, coco ...
in
soy sauce
Soy sauce (also called simply soy in American English and soya sauce in British English) is a liquid condiment of Chinese origin, traditionally made from a fermented paste of soybeans, roasted grain, brine, and '' Aspergillus oryzae'' or ''Asp ...
,
calamansi juice (or some other
citrus fruit like
lime or
lemon), smashed whole garlic cloves, ground black pepper,
bay leaves, caramelized
red onion rings, and (optionally)
muscovado or
brown sugar. In some recipes, fresh
white onion rings are used instead to preserve its crunchiness.
In the
Western Visayas, ''bistek tagalog'' is known as ''karne frita'' (also spelled ''carne frita'', literally "fried meat" in Spanish), not to be confused with the breaded cutlet (
milanesa), which is also called ''carne frita'' in the Philippines. It is cooked identically to the Tagalog version, but differs in that it is always cooked with sugar.
Variations
A modern version of ''bistek'' is ''bistek na baboy'' ("pork ''bistek''"; ''bistig babi'' in
Kapampangan Kapampangan, Capampañgan or Pampangan may refer to:
*Kapampangan people of the Philippines
*Kapampangan language
Kapampangan or Pampangan is an Austronesian language, and one of the eight major languages of the Philippines. It is the primary ...
), in which pork—
pork chops or
pork belly slices—is used instead of beef. Other modern versions can also use slices of chicken or filleted fish.
versions can also substitute beef with
tofu.
Similar dishes
''
Bistec encebollado'' is a similar dish found throughout other Spanish-speaking countries. It differs from ''bistek tagalog'' in that it does not use soy sauce or citrus juices, but uses
vinegar and various local herbs and ingredients instead. Other similar dishes include the ''bistec de Palomilla'' of
Cuba, ''bistec a caballo'' of
Colombia
Colombia (, ; ), officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country in South America with insular regions in North America—near Nicaragua's Caribbean coast—as well as in the Pacific Ocean. The Colombian mainland is bordered by the Car ...
, and the ''bistec ranchero'' of
Mexico.
In the
Marianas Islands, ''Bistek'' is prepared similarly to Filipino ''Bistek'', but is often made with vinegar instead of citrus juice.
Achiote is also added and is typically served with
peas.
See also
*
Philippine adobo
*
List of Philippine dishes
This is a list of selected dishes found in the Philippines. While the names of some dishes may be the same as those found in other cuisines, many of them have evolved to mean something distinctly different in the context of Filipino cuisine. ...
References
Beef dishes
Philippine cuisine
Tagalog words and phrases
Guamanian cuisine
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