Bistek Tagalog

This is a Filipino version of Bistek or bistec, a Spanish loan word derived from the English words “Beef Steak” abbreviated. This meal is really mouthwatering and the sauce is tangy and saucy. Mostly Filipinos would always want to eat this including me. When I want to eat Bistek Tagalog, I marinade the beef and when cooked, the smell is irresistible and pleasurable. The onion is so crunchy and it suits really well with Bistek Tagalog. “Bistek na baboy”is similar to this dish but the difference is pork. The ingredients are beef sirloin/ tenderloin, salt, pepper, calamansi juice, soy sauce, garlic, and onion. Bistek Tagalog is from the Philippines but it originated from Spain.

This I can actually somewhat give you advice on how to make.

1. First you’re gonna want to marinade you’re beef, usually in “Tapa” cut. In a mixture of 1 part soy sauce and 1 part Calamansi juice, depending on how sour or salty you want you’re Bistek you can add more of either ingredient. Let it sit for 30 mins to an hour or even better, leave it overnight so that the beef soaks in all that flavor.
   
   
2. Next you’re gonna have to cut up some onions, you can add as much as you want but 1 big white onion is enough. Cut the onion into rings about a centimeter thickness and cut up maybe 2-3 cloves of garlic (Ak would say add more but I’m not like him, I’m not into that much garlic.)
   
   
3. Now take out your beef from the marinade, DO NOT throw away the marinade this will be your “Stock” as Ak tells me it’s called. let the beef drip a bit make sure it’s not dripping wet, Dry it up a little bit with a paper towel if needed.
   
4. Next up, in a pot or a deep pan, add a teaspoon of vegetable oil, then sear the beef for about 1-2 minutes then add the garlic (minced preferably), stir around until the garlic is fragrant (we don’t want burnt garlic) then add a healthy amount of powdered black pepper. usually just a teaspoon or half (depending on how peppery you want it to taste)
   
5. Last part, add the Soy sauce/Calamansi/Beef juices into the pan/pot and wait until it simmers. After it’s simmering add the onions then allow to simmer for 2-3 mins, turn of the heat and serve hot with a side of rice.

And there you go, Bistek tagalog, just like how Grandpa made it.

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