Kare Kare (Filipino Oxtail, Vegetable & Peanut Sauce Stew)

Kare Kare is a rich, savory Filipino stew that is beloved across the Philippines and beyond. With its deep, toasted peanut sauce, tender braised oxtail, and vibrant vegetables, Kare Kare is a celebration of flavors and textures. This comforting dish has a fascinating history and varies across regions, but always remains a favorite at family gatherings and special occasions. Follow along as we demystify this iconic stew, from its origins to the secrets of creating the perfect peanut sauce. Grab your ingredients and let’s get cooking!

Introduction about Kare Kare

Kare Kare is truly one of a kind. The star of the dish is the creamy, nutty, and ever-so-slightly spicy peanut sauce, which coats the fork-tender oxtail and soaks into the vegetables. Unlike any other Filipino stew, Kare Kare combines hearty meat and vegetables with a sauce that is rich yet light. Families pass down their special recipe through generations, each one adding their own spin. The name Kare Kare is derived from the Spanish “caldo garbanzo”, meaning chickpea stew, referring to one of the original main ingredients. While the chickpeas have mostly disappeared, the name remains, and Kare Kare continues to have a cherished place at the Filipino dinner table.

So what makes this peasant stew fit for royalty? It’s the luscious peanut sauce, the melt-in-your-mouth oxtail, and how the dish brings people together through food and tradition. Kare Kare is complex in flavor, yet simple at its core – comfort food, Filipino-style. Let’s delve into the history and experience that have shaped this specialty.

History & Culture

Origins of Kare Kare

The origins of Kare Kare offer a fascinating glimpse into the melting pot of Filipino cuisine. While the name indicates Spanish roots, the use of peanuts and annatto are markers of Chinese and Mexican influence, respectively. The earliest iterations of Kare Kare are believed to have originated in the 17th century during the Spanish colonial period. Oxtail and vegetables slowly cooked in pottery pots resulted in a hearty peasant stew. Over time, creative cooks added their own touches, like annatto oil for color and texture, ground peanuts for nutty richness, and shrimp paste for a savory kick. Through cultural diffusion, adaptation, and resourcefulness, Kare Kare took on the soul of Filipino cooking.

Regional Variations

Part of the beauty of Kare Kare is experiencing the subtle regional differences found across the Philippines. In Pampanga, known as the “Culinary Capital,” cooks add diced string beans and eggplants. The Bicol region is known for using coconut milk and spicy peppers in their Kare Kare. Tagalog style combines string beans, eggplants, and green peppers for a robust medley of textures and flavors. For special occasions, some add luxurious oxtail marrow towards the end for extra richness. In the Visayas, annatto oil might be omitted and replaced by achuete seeds tossed in to impart color. Every family puts their own spin on the classic Kare Kare recipe.

Kare Kare as a Celebration Dish

In the Philippines, certain dishes become associated with milestone events and holidays. For Kare Kare, it is especially popular during fiestas and family celebrations like birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, and New Year’s. The sweet, savory, and spicy medley of flavors represents the gathering of loved ones and the meaning they bring to our lives. Eating Kare Kare is an experience – one is meant to savor each spoonful with eyes closed, head tilted back, and a smile spreading across the face. For many Filipino families, a celebration is not complete without a steaming pot of Kare Kare.

Ingredients & Preparation

Ingredients

Kare Kare is flexible and forgiving, but there are some essential components:

• 1 kg oxtail, cut into serving pieces
• 1 cup roasted unsalted peanuts, ground into peanut butter
• 4-6 cups beef or oxtail broth
• 1/4 cup annatto oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2-3 tablespoons shrimp paste
• 1-2 long red chilies, sliced
• Eggplants, string beans, bok choy, and other vegetables
• Patis or soy sauce to taste
• White rice for serving

Preparing the Ingredients

A good Kare Kare begins with properly preparing each ingredient:

Oxtail – Season generously with salt and pepper. Quickly brown in batches on all sides in oil over high heat. This adds color and flavor.

Peanut butter – Grind peanuts into a smooth paste. The natural peanut oils will help create a velvety sauce.

Broth – Simmer oxtail bones and aromatics like onions, garlic, and peppercorns to make a deeply flavored broth. This adds body to the sauce.

Annatto oil – Slowly heat oil and annatto seeds to infuse the oil with a reddish-orange hue. The color and texture enhances the dish.

With the prep work done, now we can cook!

Cooking Instructions

Follow these steps to make restaurant-quality Kare Kare:

Step 1: The Peanut Sauce

In a heavy bottomed pot, sauté onions, garlic, and shrimp paste over medium heat until fragrant. Add the ground peanuts and fry for 2-3 minutes while stirring continuously. Pour in 2 cups of oxtail broth and the annatto oil. Mix well to fully incorporate. Allow to simmer on low heat for 20-30 minutes to meld flavors. The sauce will gradually thicken. Add more broth as needed to maintain a creamy sauce consistency.

Step 2: The Oxtail

Raise heat to medium high. Add the oxtail pieces and remaining broth, making sure oxtail is submerged. Allow to simmer for 45 mins to 1 hour until oxtail is very tender. Turn oxtail occasionally to ensure even cooking. Add more water if needed to keep oxtail immersed. Reduce heat if boiling too vigorously.

Step 3: Putting It Together

Once oxtail can be easily pulled apart with a fork, add your vegetables and red chilies. Simmer for another 10 minutes until vegetables are cooked to your liking. Taste and add patis/soy sauce, salt, and pepper as desired. Turn off heat, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes to allow flavors to marry.

Serve Kare Kare stewed oxtail and vegetables over steamed white rice. Enjoy this classic Filipino celebration dish with loved ones!

Tips and Variations

Here are some tips and tweaks to make your Kare Kare sensational:

Cooking Tips

• Use a heavy-bottomed pot to prevent burning and help regulate heat
• Cook over lower heat for a longer time to achieve maximum tenderness
• Sprinkle a bit of vinegar on oxtail while cooking to further tenderize
• Adjust peanut butter, broth, and starch to find your perfect sauce consistency
• Add patis or salt near the end to avoid over-salting

Variations

• Swap chicken, beef, or pork for the oxtail
• Use coconut milk for a richer, creamier sauce
• Add eggplants, squash, okra, or bitter melon for extra vegetables
• Garnish with scallions, chili peppers, or toasted garlic
• For heat, add chili paste or extra peppers to suit your tastes
• To increase savoriness, add more shrimp paste or patis to the sauce
• For special occasions, add oxtail marrow just before serving

The possibilities are endless – make your Kare Kare unique!

Serving and Enjoying

Serving Suggestions

• Serve Kare Kare family-style in a large communal pot
• Ladle stew over steamed white rice to soak up the sauce
• Offer patis, calamansi, chili peppers, and shrimp paste as condiments
• Complete the meal with a fresh mango salad or vegetable side dish

Enjoying Kare Kare

Finding the soul of Kare Kare means enjoying the dish the traditional way. Close your eyes as you take the first spoonful so you can focus entirely on the medley of flavors and textures. Savor the tender oxtail against the crunch of peanuts and vegetables. Let the creamy, nutty, savory sauce transport you to a lively fiesta celebration filled with family. That feeling of community and connection – that is the heart of Kare Kare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken instead of oxtail for Kare Kare?

Yes, you can substitute chicken thighs and legs for the oxtail. Braise in the broth until very tender before adding to the peanut sauce. The flavor will be lighter, but still delicious.

What are the essential ingredients in a traditional peanut sauce?

The key ingredients are roasted unsalted peanuts, garlic, annatto oil, and broth. The peanuts provide richness and texture. Garlic contributes savory flavor. Annatto oil lends subtle peppery notes and color. The broth binds everything into a luscious sauce.

What are some popular vegetables to add to Kare Kare?

Eggplants, string beans, bok choy, squash, and okra are classic choices. Bitter melon, bamboo shoots, green beans, carrots, and green papaya also pair well. Experiment with whatever looks fresh!

How does Kare Kare differ from other Filipino stews like Adobo and Sinigang?

Unlike adobo with its vinegar and soy sauce base, Kare Kare relies on peanut butter for body. It lacks the sourness of sinigang’s tamarind and doesn’t usually contain coconut milk like sinigang. The peanut sauce makes Kare Kare unique.

Conclusion

Kare Kare represents generations of Filipino cooking traditions distilled into one remarkable stew. The rich peanut sauce, fork-tender oxtail, and medley of vegetables makes for a sensational eating experience. Beyond the food itself, Kare Kare embodies the Filipino spirit of celebration, community, and connecting through cuisine. This iconic dish always brings people together for joyous occasions and simple family meals alike. For an immersion into Filipino food culture, there is nothing quite like authentic Kare Kare. From its humble origins to its starring role at feasts, Kare Kare retains its place as the king of Filipino stew.