Beef afritada is a popular Filipino dish that is a perfect combination of Spanish and Filipino flavors. This delicious dish features tender beef stewed in a rich tomato sauce with potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers. It is a hearty and comforting meal that is loved by many.

To make beef afritada, you will need a few basic ingredients that can be found in most kitchens. The star of the dish is, of course, the beef. You can use any cut of beef that is suitable for stewing, such as chuck or brisket. The beef is cooked until tender and then simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce.

The tomato sauce is the heart of beef afritada. It is made by sautéing onions and garlic until fragrant, then adding tomato sauce, tomato paste, and a few other ingredients. This creates a thick and delicious base for the dish. To enhance the flavors even further, you can add some soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and bay leaves.

The addition of potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers not only adds flavor but also makes this dish hearty and nutritious. These vegetables are added to the stew and cooked until tender. The result is a dish with a vibrant color and a delicious combination of flavors. Beef afritada is best served with steamed rice, and it can be enjoyed as a main dish for lunch or dinner.

Preparing the Ingredients for Beef Afritada

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Before starting to cook beef afritada, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients prepared. Here are the ingredients you will need:

  • 1 ½ pounds of beef, cut into cubes
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips
  • 1 green bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips
  • 1 cup of tomato sauce
  • 1 cup of beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of cooking oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Make sure to wash and clean the vegetables properly before preparing them. Cut the beef into cubes and chop the onion. Mince the garlic and prepare the potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers by peeling, seeding, and cutting them into the desired size.

Once all the ingredients are prepped and ready, you can proceed to cook the beef afritada. Ensure you have all the necessary kitchen tools and cookware, like a pot or pan, knife, cutting board, and spoon, before starting the cooking process.

Cutting the beef into cubes

Before you begin cooking beef afritada, the first step is to prepare the beef. Start by selecting a good cut of beef, such as chuck or sirloin, which is tender and flavorful.

Using a sharp knife, trim any excess fat or gristle from the beef. Then, cut the beef into evenly sized cubes. Typically, the cubes should be about 2 inches in size, although you can adjust this according to your preference.

Tip: To make cutting the beef easier, you can partially freeze it for about 30 minutes. This will firm up the meat and make it easier to handle and cut into cubes.

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Make sure to wash your hands and any utensils used in handling the raw beef to prevent cross-contamination.

Chopping the onions and garlic

To start cooking beef afritada, you will need to chop the onions and garlic. These ingredients are essential for adding flavor to the dish.

Ingredients:

Onions 2 medium-sized
Garlic 4 cloves

Here’s how you can chop the onions and garlic:

1. Onions

Start by peeling the onions and cutting off the ends. Then, cut the onion in half vertically. Lay each half on a flat surface and make horizontal cuts, making sure not to slice through the root end to keep the onion intact. Finally, make vertical cuts to dice the onion into small pieces.

2. Garlic

Peel the garlic cloves and remove any green sprouts if present. Lay a clove flat on the cutting board and press it firmly with the flat side of the knife to slightly crush it. This will make it easier to remove the skin. Once peeled, you can mince the garlic cloves finely by first making horizontal cuts and then vertical cuts.

Now that you have chopped the onions and garlic, you can proceed with the next steps in cooking beef afritada. These aromatic ingredients will help enhance the flavors of the dish and make it even more delicious!

Cooking Process of Beef Afritada

To cook beef afritada, follow these simple steps:

  1. Prepare the ingredients: Gather all the ingredients needed for beef afritada, including beef, potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, tomato sauce, soy sauce, and bell peppers.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: In a large pan, heat some oil over medium heat. Sauté the onions and garlic until fragrant and translucent.
  3. Brown the beef: Add the beef cubes to the pan and cook until they are browned on all sides.
  4. Add the tomato sauce and soy sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce and soy sauce, and mix well with the meat. Let it simmer for a few minutes.
  5. Add the vegetables: Add the potatoes and carrots to the pan, and stir to coat them in the sauce. Cook for another few minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender.
  6. Simmer and season: Pour in some water or broth to cover the ingredients, and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer until the meat is tender and the vegetables are fully cooked. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Add the bell peppers: Lastly, add the bell peppers to the pan and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. This will give the dish a nice crunch and added flavor.
  8. Serve hot: Once the beef afritada is fully cooked, transfer it to a serving dish and garnish with chopped parsley or spring onions if desired. Serve hot with steamed rice.
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Enjoy your homemade beef afritada!

Sautéing the onions and garlic

To begin making beef afritada, we need to sauté the onions and garlic. This step adds a flavorful base for our dish.

Start by heating a large skillet over medium heat. Add a tablespoon of cooking oil and let it heat for a minute.

Next, add the chopped onions and minced garlic to the hot oil. Stir them continuously for about 2-3 minutes or until the onions become translucent and the garlic becomes fragrant.

Sautéing the onions and garlic not only enhances their flavor, but it also helps release the aroma and natural oils, which will infuse the entire dish with a delicious taste.

Adding the beef and tomatoes

Once the onions and garlic are softened, it is time to add the beef to the pot. Make sure to season the beef with salt and pepper before adding it to the pot, as this will enhance the flavor of the dish.

Add the beef to the pot and cook until it is browned on all sides. This will give the beef a nice caramelized flavor and add depth to the dish.

Next, add the diced tomatoes to the pot. You can use either fresh tomatoes or canned tomatoes, depending on your preference. The acidity of the tomatoes will help tenderize the beef and add a tangy flavor to the dish.

Stir the beef and tomatoes together, making sure that the beef is evenly coated with the tomato sauce. If desired, you can also add tomato paste or tomato sauce for a thicker and richer sauce.

Let the beef and tomatoes simmer for about 1 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded together. This slow cooking process will result in a flavorful and tender beef afritada.

Simmering the beef afritada

Once all the ingredients are combined, it’s time to simmer the beef afritada mixture. Simmering allows all the flavors to meld together and the beef to become tender and juicy.

To simmer the beef afritada:

Step 1: Transfer the mixture to a large pot

Using a spoon, transfer the beef afritada mixture to a large pot, making sure to scrape all the ingredients from the pan.

Step 2: Add water or beef broth

Add water or beef broth to the pot, enough to cover the beef and vegetables. This will help create a flavorful sauce and ensure the beef is cooked thoroughly.

Note: The amount of liquid will depend on how saucy you want your beef afritada to be.

Step 3: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat

Place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a lid.

Tip: Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Step 4: Simmer for 1 to 2 hours

Allow the beef afritada to simmer for 1 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender. The longer it simmers, the more flavorful and tender the beef will become.

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And there you have it! Simmering is an essential step in cooking beef afritada, as it allows the flavors to develop and creates a deliciously tender beef dish.

Serving and Enjoying Beef Afritada

Once your beef afritada is fully cooked and simmered to perfection, it’s time to serve and enjoy this delicious Filipino dish.

1. Plating

To present your beef afritada beautifully, you can plate it on a large serving dish. Arrange the pieces of beef and vegetables in an appealing manner, ensuring each serving gets a generous amount of sauce.

2. Accompaniments

Beef afritada is commonly enjoyed with steamed white rice, as it complements the rich flavors of the dish. Garnish with fresh parsley or spring onions to add a touch of freshness.

For added texture and crunch, you can serve beef afritada with crispy fried potatoes or steamed vegetables on the side.

3. Enjoyment

Beef afritada is best enjoyed while it’s still hot. The tender beef and flavorful sauce make for a comforting and satisfying meal. Take a bite of the beef accompanied by some sauce and rice to fully appreciate the combination of flavors.

Don’t forget to share this Filipino classic with your family and friends. The aroma and taste of the beef afritada are sure to impress and leave everyone asking for seconds!

Note: Leftover beef afritada can be refrigerated and reheated for future meals. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness.

Q&A

What is beef afritada?

Beef afritada is a Filipino dish made with beef, potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, and tomato sauce. It is a stew-like dish that is typically served with rice.

Can I use other meats instead of beef?

Yes, you can use other meats like chicken or pork instead of beef to make afritada. The cooking time may vary depending on the type of meat used.

Are there any variations of beef afritada?

Yes, there are variations of beef afritada. Some recipes may include additional ingredients like peas, raisins, or even hotdogs. The overall taste and flavor profile can also be adjusted by adding different herbs and spices.

What is beef afritada?

Beef afritada is a Filipino dish made with beef stewed in a tomato-based sauce, along with vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers. It is a hearty and flavourful dish commonly served with rice.

What are the ingredients needed for beef afritada?

The ingredients needed for beef afritada include beef chunks, tomatoes, onions, garlic, potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, tomato sauce, soy sauce, bay leaves, and seasonings such as salt and pepper. You can also add other vegetables or spices according to your preference.