Crock Pot Nilagang Baka: Tender Beef Stew

how to cook nilagang baka in a crock pot

Nilagang Baka is a soupy Filipino dish that is typically cooked slowly to extract the most flavor from the beef and make it tender. The dish is usually prepared in a Crock-Pot® slow cooker, which is ideal for cooking less expensive portions of meat. The beef is simmered in tomato sauce, tomato paste, and onions, and vegetables such as potatoes, cabbage, and green beans are added to the dish. The slow cooker method is convenient, as it allows you to simply combine the ingredients and leave them to cook for 6-8 hours.

Characteristics Values
Type of Dish Soupy dish, stew
Cuisine Filipino
Main Ingredient Beef
Other Ingredients Ginger, onion, potatoes, cabbage, string beans, fish sauce
Crockpot Temperature Low
Crockpot Duration 6-8 hours
Crockpot Size 4-quart
Crockpot Fill Level 1.5-2 inches from the brim
Serving Temperature Hot
Number of Servings 2-4

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Ingredients: beef shin, ginger, fish sauce, potatoes, cabbage, string beans

Ingredients:

  • Beef shin
  • Ginger
  • Fish sauce
  • Potatoes
  • Cabbage
  • String beans

Method:

  • Cut 600-800g of beef shin into 4 thick slices.
  • Using a frying pan or a wok, put some butter, 2 tablespoons of oil, and some onions, celery, and carrots in the pan and sauté over medium heat for about 8 minutes.
  • Add some garlic and shiitake mushrooms and stir for another 2 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a skillet until it is near the smoking point. Add the beef slices and brown on all sides.
  • Place the beef slices, vegetables, wine, hot stock, and any remaining ingredients (including the ginger, fish sauce, and whole peppercorn) into the crock pot.
  • Set the crock pot to high and let it cook for 4 hours, or on low for 12 hours.
  • During the final 15 minutes of cooking, add the green onions and bok choy.
  • While the nilagang baka is cooking, prepare the cabbage, potatoes, and string beans as follows:
  • For the cabbage: trim and wash a whole head of cabbage. Cut it in half, then cut out and discard the thick stem. Tear the remaining leaves into 1- to 2-inch pieces, removing and discarding any thick veins. Wash the leaves using cool water. Place the leaves into the crock pot. Cut some butter into pieces and place on top of the cabbage. Add 3-4 whole garlic cloves and pour in some chicken broth or water. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Set to high and cook for 2-4 hours.
  • For the potatoes: wash and dry the potatoes, then poke each with a fork a few times. Rub with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place in the crock pot and cook on high for 2.5-3 hours, or until tender.
  • For the string beans: trim and rinse the string beans. Place in the crock pot with some water, ham hocks, and onion. Cover and cook on high until simmering. Reduce heat to low and cook for 2-3 hours, or until crisp but not done.
  • Once all the ingredients are cooked, combine them and serve. Enjoy your nilagang baka!

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Cooking time: 6-8 hours on low

To cook Nilagang Baka, a Filipino beef soup, in a crock pot over 6-8 hours on low, you will need the following ingredients:

  • Beef shin, bone-in (2 pieces)
  • Medium onion, sliced
  • Fresh ginger, sliced (roughly the size of half an egg)
  • Beef bouillon cube or beef broth
  • Large potatoes, cut into 1-1/2 inch cubes
  • Patis or fish sauce
  • Small cabbage, sliced
  • String beans (optional)

First, combine the beef, onion, ginger, beef bouillon or broth, and potatoes in a 4-quart slow cooker. Fill the pot with water until it reaches 1-1/2 to 2 inches from the brim. Set the crock pot to low and let the soup cook for 5-7 hours.

After this initial cooking period, add the cabbage and string beans to the crock pot. Continue cooking on low for the remaining 1-3 hours.

Before serving, season the soup with patis or fish sauce to taste. This dish is typically served with rice and additional fish sauce on the side for dipping the meat. Enjoy!

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Tender meat: slow cooking makes it melt in your mouth

Nilagang Baka is a soupy Filipino dish that is usually cooked in a Crock-Pot. The process of slow cooking makes the meat tender and tasty. It is an ideal method for cooking less expensive portions of meat. The longer the meat is cooked, the softer it becomes. For instance, cooking the meat for 8 to 10 hours will make it tender to the point that it will melt in your mouth.

The ingredients required to cook Nilagang Baka include beef shank, shin, or any other cut of beef, ginger, onion, potatoes, cabbage, and string beans. You can also add soup bones to enhance the flavour. The first step is to combine the beef, ginger, onion, potatoes, and soup bones in a Crock-Pot. Then, fill the pot with water until it is about 1-1/2 to 2 inches from the brim. Set the Crock-Pot to low for 6-8 hours. You can also set it for 4 hours on high.

After the Crock-Pot has been cooking for a while, you can add the cabbage and string beans. You should add these in the last hour of cooking. If you want your string beans to be crisp, you can add them in the last 15 minutes of cooking. You can also add bok choy in the last 15 minutes. Once the Crock-Pot has finished cooking, season the dish with patis (fish sauce) to taste.

Slow cooking is a convenient method for preparing Nilagang Baka because it allows you to dump all the ingredients in the Crock-Pot and leave it to cook. This is in contrast to other cooking methods, such as boiling, which require more attention and monitoring to prevent overcooking the meat.

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Flavour: add more ginger with the vegetables

To cook nilagang baka in a crock pot, you'll need to gather the right ingredients and be prepared for a long cooking time. Nilagang baka is a Filipino beef soup that is cooked until the meat is tender, and the vegetables are soft. The name translates to "boiled beef" in English, and the dish is a delicious balance of flavours.

When it comes to adding flavour to nilagang baka, ginger plays a starring role. Adding more ginger to the dish, especially when you add the vegetables, will enhance its taste. The recipe below will guide you through the process of making nilagang baka in a crock pot, with a focus on maximising the ginger's impact.

Ingredients:

  • Beef shank or shin (bone-in)
  • Ginger
  • Whole peppercorn
  • Patis (fish sauce)
  • Green onions (spring onions)
  • Red onion
  • Kosher salt
  • Bok choy baby bok choy
  • Cabbage
  • Potatoes
  • String beans (optional)
  • Beef bouillon or beef broth

Instructions:

  • Combine the beef, ginger, peppercorn, patis, red onion, and kosher salt in your crock pot. You can also add some olive oil at this stage for extra flavour.
  • Fill the crock pot with water, ensuring it reaches about 1-1/2 to 2 inches from the brim.
  • Set the crock pot to low and let the ingredients cook for 4-6 hours. The long cooking time will help to tenderise the meat and create a rich broth.
  • After the initial cooking period, add the green onions, bok choy, cabbage, potatoes, and string beans. Add more ginger at this stage to give the dish an extra kick.
  • Continue cooking for another 2-3 hours, or until the vegetables are tender.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Add more patis or fish sauce if you prefer a saltier soup.
  • Serve the nilagang baka hot, with a side of rice.

Feel free to experiment with additional vegetables, such as carrots, corn, or beans. You can also use other beef cuts like brisket, chuck, ribs, or ox tail, but adjust the cooking time accordingly as tougher cuts may require longer cooking to become tender. Enjoy the comforting and hearty flavours of your homemade nilagang baka!

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Serving: with rice and fish sauce as a condiment

When serving nilagang baka, it is customary to serve it with rice and fish sauce as condiments. The rice should be cooked separately and can be served as a bed for the beef and vegetables or as a side dish. It is also common to serve the dish with a small bowl of fish sauce on the side for dipping.

The amount of rice you will need will depend on the number of people you are serving and their appetite. As a guide, a cup of uncooked rice per person is a good starting point. For the fish sauce, a small bowl per person should be sufficient, with perhaps a little extra to pass around if needed.

To plate the dish, start by scooping some rice onto each plate or bowl. Top the rice with the beef and vegetables, ensuring that each serving includes a good mix of both. Pour the hot soup over the rice and meat, being careful not to overfill the bowls. Garnish each serving with chopped green onions or other herbs, if desired. Finally, place the small bowl of fish sauce on the side, along with a spoon or small ladle if desired.

For an extra special touch, you could also offer additional condiments and garnishes such as chopped chillies, spring onions, or coriander leaves. These can be placed in small bowls and offered to guests, allowing them to customise their dish to their taste.

Frequently asked questions

Nilagang Baka is a Filipino beef soup or stew. The name translates to "boiled beef" and the dish is made by simmering beef in a tomato sauce with vegetables.

You will need beef shin or beef shank, ginger, onions, patis (fish sauce), potatoes, cabbage, and string beans. You will also need water or broth to cover the ingredients in the crock pot.

It is recommended to cook the dish for 6-8 hours on low heat in a crock pot. The beef should be tender and soft after this time.

Add the potatoes at the beginning and simmer until soft. Add the cabbage and string beans in the last few minutes of cooking so they retain some crispness.

The recipe makes 2-4 servings.

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