''Bistek'' (from
Spanish: ''
bistec
A beefsteak, often called just steak, is a flat cut of beef with parallel faces, usually cut perpendicular to the muscle fibers. In common restaurant service a single serving has a raw mass ranging from . Beef steaks are usually grilled, pan ...
'', "
beefsteak"), also known as ''bistek tagalog'' or ''karne frita'', is a
Filipino
Filipino may refer to:
* Something from or related to the Philippines
** Filipino language, standardized variety of 'Tagalog', the national language and one of the official languages of the Philippines.
** Filipinos, people who are citizens of th ...
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 and
Western Visayan regions of the
Philippines
The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no),
* bik, Republika kan Filipinas
* ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas
* cbk, República de Filipinas
* hil, Republ ...
. 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
''Citrus'' is a genus of flowering plant, flowering trees and shrubs in the rue family, Rutaceae. Plants in the genus produce citrus fruits, including important crops such as Orange (fruit), oranges, Lemon, lemons, grapefruits, pomelos, and lim ...
fruit like
lime
Lime commonly refers to:
* Lime (fruit), a green citrus fruit
* Lime (material), inorganic materials containing calcium, usually calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide
* Lime (color), a color between yellow and green
Lime may also refer to:
Botany ...
or
lemon), smashed whole garlic cloves, ground black pepper,
bay leaves
The bay leaf is an aromatic leaf commonly used in cooking. It can be used whole, either dried or fresh, in which case it is removed from the dish before consumption, or less commonly used in ground form. It may come from several species of tr ...
, caramelized
red onion rings, and (optionally)
muscovado or
brown sugar
Brown sugar is unrefined or partially refined soft sugar.
Brown Sugar may also refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Films
* ''Brown Sugar'' (1922 film), a 1922 British silent film directed by Fred Paul
* ''Brown Sugar'' (1931 film), a 1931 ...
. In some recipes, fresh
white onion
White onion or ''Allium cepa'' (“sweet onion”) are a cultivar of dry onion which have a distinct light and mild flavour profile. Much like red onions, they have a high sugar and low sulphur content, and thus have a relatively short shelf life ...
rings are used instead to preserve its crunchiness.
In the
Western Visayas
Western Visayas ( hil, Kabisay-an Nakatundan; tl, Kanlurang Kabisayaan or ''Kanlurang Visayas'') is an administrative region in the Philippines, numerically designated as Region VI. It consists of six provinces (Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimara ...
, ''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
The milanesa is a variation of the Lombard veal Milanese, or the Austrian Wiener schnitzel, where generic types of meat breaded cutlet preparations are known as a ''milanesa''.
The milanesa was brought to the Southern Cone by Italian immigran ...
), 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.
Vegan
Veganism is the practice of abstaining from the use of animal product—particularly in diet—and an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals. An individual who follows the diet or philosophy is known as a vegan. Di ...
versions can also substitute beef with
tofu.
Similar dishes
''
Bistec encebollado
A beefsteak, often called just steak, is a flat cut of beef with parallel faces, usually cut perpendicular to the muscle fibers. In common restaurant service a single serving has a raw mass ranging from . Beef steaks are usually grilled, pan ...
'' 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
Vinegar is an aqueous solution of acetic acid and trace compounds that may include flavorings. Vinegar typically contains 5–8% acetic acid by volume. Usually, the acetic acid is produced by a double fermentation, converting simple sugars to et ...
and various local herbs and ingredients instead. Other similar dishes include the ''bistec de Palomilla'' of
Cuba
Cuba ( , ), officially the Republic of Cuba ( es, República de Cuba, links=no ), is an island country comprising the island of Cuba, as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located where the northern Caribbea ...
, ''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
Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...
.
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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