Ever tried oxtail? Buntot ng baka is one of the most underrated meats due to its naturally rich flavor and pleasantly smooth texture. Not many people use it because it’s not exactly the most accessible ingredient. But if you live in the Philippines, this is something you…
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Published: 4/5/23
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Ever tried oxtail? Buntot ng baka is one of the most underrated meats due to its naturally rich flavor and pleasantly smooth texture. Not many people use it because it’s not exactly the most accessible ingredient. But if you live in the Philippines, this is something you’re likely to find at your local Palengke, and it’s definitely worth every trip. And for me that’s especially because it tastes great with Kare Kare Buntot ng Baka!
This cut of meat adds a real upgrade in depth and flavor to your favorite peanut casserole. Imagine the tender Buntot ng Baka coated in the thick, distinctly orange kare kare stew. This is an absolute game made in heaven! But if you’re unfamiliar with kare kare as a dish, let me show you a few more variations you could try if you end up with a surplus of ingredients.
Other versions of Kare Kare
Kare Kare
For some Filipinos, nothing beats the original when it comes to kare kare. Just to give you an idea, this is a type of meat dish made with peanut butter and annatto seeds and often enjoyed with some bagoong. But this recipe in particular is special in part because I incorporated more beef slices for a truly festive and meaty dish!
Crispy Kare Kare
This one has become very popular in Filipino restaurants hoping to serve up a local classic but with an exciting twist. For the crispy kare kare, imagine the hearty recipe but with the crispiest and juiciest pork belly! The delicious roasted peanut sauce is made even better with various veggies like eggplant and green beans, all of which complement the meat perfectly.
Chicken Kare Kare Sa Gata
Last but not least is the Chicken Kare Kare Sa Gata. This makes your kare kare that little bit healthier because we use white meat instead of beef or pork. We also have some deliciously creamy coconut milk for just a little sweetness.
Now we can try to make the Kare Kare Buntot ng Baka!
How to Cook Kare Kare Buntot ng Baka
Start by boiling water in a saucepan. Then put in 1 Chinese eggplant that you sliced, 12 ounces of banana blossoms, 1 bunch of bok choy, and 15 green beans that you cut into 2-inch pieces. We let everything cook for just 2 minutes. Then put the vegetables in a bowl of cold water. Soak these 3 minutes. Then drain the water and wait for the vegetables to dry. Save the water you used as we will need it in the next step.
Next, we need to put 3 tablespoons of cooking oil in a saucepan. Let this get hot, then add 4 cloves of garlic that you have chopped and 1 onion that you have diced. Fry these together, then add 4 pounds. From the oxtail when your onion has softened. Again, we’re going to sauté our ingredients, but only until the oxtail turns light brown.
Now get your water from cooking the vegetables and pour this into the saucepan. Cover the pot, then bring the mixture to a simmer. Continue cooking until the Bunt ng Baka is as tender as you like.
After that, you need to add your 1 Knorr Beef Cube, 1 cup of peanut paste, and 2 teaspoons of annatto powder to the mixture. Continue cooking for 10 minutes. Then add some ground black pepper and fish sauce. For those two, you can add as much as you like depending on how salty or peppery you want the dish.
Serving the Kare Kare Buntot ng Baka
Simply place your kare kare in a serving bowl that will fit all of these wonderful ingredients. Top it off with the vegetables you blanched earlier. Make sure you have some bagoong alamang or shrimp paste on the side.
And you’re good to go! Great job whipping up this Kare Kare Buntot ng Baka. But if you’re missing a few ingredients or want to try the same dish with different ingredients next time, here are some possible alternatives.
Alternate ingredients
oxtail – As I said, this adds some depth to the dish, but you can also create a great dish by using a more common type of meat. You can try pork or beef to cook something a little more similar to classic kare kare.
Annatto powder – This is definitely an ingredient that sets kare kare apart from many other dishes. However, depending on where you are, finding these can be difficult. You can therefore also try using small amounts of paprika as a substitute. But it would still be best to use annatto powder to really achieve that distinct color.
Let me know if you have any questions by commenting below!
Did you do this? If you take a picture, please tag us on Instagram at @panlasangpinoy or with the hashtag #panlasangpinoy so we can see your creations!
Kare Kare Buntot by Baka
Filipino kare kare oxtail cooked in peanut sauce
instructions
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Boil water. Add the vegetable ingredients. Cook this for 2 minutes. Remove and soak in a bowl of cold water for 3 minutes. Drain the water and dry the vegetables. put it aside
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Heat cooking oil in a saucepan. Sauté garlic and onion.
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Add the oxtail once the onion softens. Fry until the color turns light brown.
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Pour the water used to cook the vegetables into the saucepan. Cover and bring to a simmer. Continue cooking until the oxtail becomes tender.
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Add Knorr Beef Cube, peanut paste and annatto powder. Boil 10 minutes.
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Season with fish sauce and ground black pepper.
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Pour into a serving bowl. Top with blanched vegetables. Serve with shrimp paste (bagoong alamang).
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Share and enjoy!
Video
Nutritional Information
Calories: 1337kcal (67%) Carbohydrates: 38G (13%) Protein: 131G (262%) Fat: 75G (115%) Saturated Fatty Acids: 23G (115%) Polyunsaturated fat: 9G Monounsaturated fatty acids: 36G Trans fats: 0.03G Cholesterol: 399mg (133%) Sodium: 1302mg (54%) Potassium: 1435mg (41%) Fiber: 12G (48%) Sugar: 12G (13%) Vitamin A: 7642ie (153%) Vitamin C: 82mg (99%) Calcium: 300mg (30%) Iron: 56mg (311%)