Food of the Phillipines: Oxtail Kare Kare (delicious oxtail stew)

With the holiday seasons upon us, it’s time to whip out those special recipes that mean so much at the family dinner table.

This traditional Filipino dish is a sure winner at any time of the year:

· 1 kilo beef oxtail – cut into pieces

· 1 large onion – quartered

· 1 garlic clove – chopped

· ½ teaspoon of ground pepper

· 1 teaspoon of salt

· 1 large eggplant – cut in 2” inch chunks

· ½ head of bok choy – cut into 1” inch pieces

· ¼ kilo green beans – trimmed and snapped

· Fill large saucepan with water – drop in oxtail pieces as well as onion – garlic – salt and pepper

· Bring to a boil and let simmer for 2 hours over medium-low heat (skimming the foam occasionally)

· Continue to simmer till meat is tender and the broth is reduced to approximately 3 cups

· Stir in eggplant – bok choy – green beans and simmer for an additional 20 minutes or until the added content is tender

· Take peanut butter into a small bowl and add 2 tablespoons of broth – stir until smooth – add to stew (this should be done just prior to serving)

· Serve over rice