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Bed weather calls for something hot, comforting, and effortless. Although it’s tempting to order takeout, nothing beats a nutritious home-cooked meal that saves you a few hundred pesos! And what better dish to prepare on cool days than a big pot of beef nilaga?
Perfect for warming the belly and soul, nilaga is one of the simplest Filipino dishes. As its name suggests, this ulam only requires boiling meats and vegetables until tender. Add your seasonings, and done! Plus, everything happens in a single pot.
If you want the best-tasting nilagang baka, pay extra attention to the broth. The secret to making it super flavorful? Follow this recipe for the reveal.
Ingredients for Beef Nilaga
- 5 cups water
- 1 kg beef shanks, sliced
- 2 pcs medium white onions, halved
- 2 pcs corn, cut into three
- 1 tbsp black peppercorns
- 2 pcs large potatoes, quartered
- 2 pcs saba bananas, sliced diagonally
- 2 pcs Knorr Beef Cubes
- 1 bunch pechay Tagalog, trimmed and cut
- ½ pc cabbage, sliced into wedges
- 1 bunch bok choy, sliced
- 8-10 pcs kalabasa flowers (optional)
How to Cook Beef Nilaga
Step 1
Combine water, beef, onions, corn, and peppercorns in a pot over high heat. Bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover pot, and simmer until the meat is tender. Remove impurities that float to the surface.
Step 2
Add potatoes and saba; simmer until tender. Add Knorr Beef Cubes and stir until dissolved.
Step 3
Add leafy vegetables and cook for 1 minute. Serve hot with rice and your preferred sawsawan.
Using broth cubes helps achieve that beefy linamnam that will make you say, “sabaw pa lang, ulam na!” So, even if you choose to tenderize your meat in a pressure cooker, your soup will still be as flavorful. Try this trick when making nilaga with pork, chicken, or fish. Or, if you need to cut your cooking time further, prepare a version featuring canned corned beef. Yes, it’s possible!
Besides switching out the meat, don’t hesitate to include your favorite vegetables. Some worthy options are sayote, spinach, string beans, and baby corn. Every ingredient you add to the pot lends extra flavors to the stock. Do you want it a bit sweeter? Consider kamote or kalabasa!
Tweaking timeless recipes can be challenging. Thankfully, beef nilaga is forgiving and easily customizable. And if you end up with leftovers, give the dish new life by turning it into a tomato-based pochero. What are you waiting for? Start making this winner ulam today.