Beef Steak (Filipino Style)

 

This is our favorite way of cooking beef garnished with boiled ampalaya and thinly sliced fresh carrots. Here, I have the option in choosing ampalaya as garnishing to have a healthier menu. Ampalaya is also called Bitter Melon or Bitter Gourd and also known as herbal too. I used squeezed lemon juice instead of any vinegar which is one of the secrets when marinating.

I’d love cooking it for lunch and the leftovers is greatly served for dinner. My family love this much when cooked a little bit saucy than dry, so I prefer to cook it by not letting all the water evaporates in the pan. The semi-sweet and tangy sauce made us add more cups of rice!! Mouth watering!—this recipe broke our rules in diet….!!! What I also love in cooking this, is the aroma that lingered all through the house which really boost our appetite and enjoy most in eating the food!!!
 

Ingredients

• 3/4 kilo beef, breakfast steak cuts
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon sauce
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1 1/2 cups water
• ampalaya and carrots, to garnish (optional)

Procedure for Beef Steak:
 

1.   Thaw the beef if it is frozen. Take each steak and cut into small pieces or divide into three slices. Place in a clean container. Add-in soy sauce, garlic, sugar, salt and pepper.  Mix well.
 

2.   Marinade and place it in the fridge for about 30mins. (You can also set it overnight to properly absorb the mixture into the beef if you planned to prepare it the next day).
 

3.   Place 1 1/2 cups of water in a pan and bring to boil.
 

4.   Put-in the marinated beef and cook for about 20-30 minutes or until the water evaporates. Stir occasionally. Add-in cooking oil, stir and simmer for about 2 minutes. (If you want it to be saucy don’t let all the water evaporates. This time add-in cooking oil and simmer for a couple of minutes then turn off the heat.)
 

5.   While the beef cooks prepare the garnishing. Thinly slice a carrot and set aside. In another pan, heat 3 tablespoons of water, place the ampalaya, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and let it boil for about 1 minute. Turn off heat, transfer to a plate and set aside.
 

6.   Once the beef is cooked, transfer to a clean plate and garnish boiled ampalaya and carrots.
 

7.   Serve and enjoy!