Are you a fan of the classic Filipino dish, beef caldereta, but not a fan of liver spread?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many people find the taste of liver spread too overpowering or simply don’t have it on hand in their pantry.
But fear not, because we’ve got you covered with this recipe for beef caldereta without liver spread. With a few simple ingredient substitutions and some easy-to-follow steps, you can still enjoy the rich and savory flavors of this beloved dish.
So grab your apron and let’s get cooking!
How To Cook Beef Caldereta Without Liver Spread?
To start, heat up 3 tablespoons of cooking oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add 5 cloves of crushed and chopped garlic and 1 medium diced red onion. Sauté the mixture until the onions become translucent.
Next, add 2 pounds of beef chuck that has been sliced into cubes. Cook the beef until it becomes light brown in color.
Now, it’s time to add some flavor to the dish. Instead of liver spread, we will be using 1/4 cup of peanut butter or cheese to thicken the sauce and add a distinct taste. Mix this in with the beef and cook for 2 minutes.
Afterwards, pour in 1 can (8 oz.) of tomato sauce and mix well. Then, add 2 cups of beef broth to the pot. Cover and let it simmer over low heat for 45 minutes to an hour or until the beef is tender.
If you find that the mixture is too dry, you can add a little bit of water to keep it from sticking to the pot.
Finally, add your desired vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, and olives. Let it cook for another 10-15 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To cook beef caldereta without liver spread, you’ll need the following ingredients:
– 3 tablespoons of cooking oil
– 5 cloves of garlic, crushed and chopped
– 1 medium-sized red onion, diced
– 2 pounds of beef chuck, sliced into cubes
– 1/4 cup of peanut butter or cheese
– 1 can (8 oz.) of tomato sauce
– 2 cups of beef broth
– Vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, and olives
If you don’t have liver spread, don’t worry! You can still make a delicious and flavorful beef caldereta using these ingredients. The peanut butter or cheese will help thicken the sauce and add a unique taste to the dish. Use ripe fresh tomatoes or canned diced tomatoes as a replacement for tomato sauce if needed. And if you prefer, you can use pig’s liver instead of cow’s liver for a more authentic taste.
Preparing The Beef
Before cooking the beef for your beef caldereta, it is important to choose the right cut of meat. For this recipe, we recommend using 2 pounds of beef chuck that has been sliced into cubes.
To prepare the beef, season it with salt and pepper to taste. In a large frying pan or skillet, heat up 3 tablespoons of cooking oil until it is hot but not smoking. Sear the beef by browning it on all sides in the hot oil. It is important to keep some space between the beef chunks when frying so that they cook evenly. Cook the beef in batches if necessary to ensure a deep and delicious taste from the meat.
Once the beef is browned, remove it from the pan and set it aside on a plate. In the remaining oil (or add a little oil to the skillet if needed), sauté 5 cloves of crushed and chopped garlic and 1 medium diced red onion for 3-4 minutes. The purpose of this step is to deglaze the pan with the juices from the veggies and get all the yummy brown bits remaining there for extra flavor.
Now you can add the browned beef back into the pan with the sautéed vegetables. Mix well and cook for another 2 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld together and create a delicious base for your caldereta.
Once this step is complete, you can continue with the recipe by adding tomato sauce, beef broth, peanut butter or cheese, and other desired ingredients such as potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, and olives. Let everything simmer together until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
By following these simple steps to prepare your beef, you can create a delicious and hearty beef caldereta without liver spread that will surely impress your family and friends.
Making The Caldereta Sauce
The key ingredient in any kaldereta dish is the sauce. While liver spread is traditionally used to thicken and add flavor to the sauce, there are other options available. In this recipe, we will be using peanut butter or cheese to achieve a similar effect.
To make the caldereta sauce, start by heating up 3 tablespoons of cooking oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add 5 cloves of crushed and chopped garlic and 1 medium diced red onion. Sauté the mixture until the onions become translucent.
Next, add 2 pounds of beef chuck that has been sliced into cubes. Cook the beef until it becomes light brown in color.
Now, it’s time to add some flavor to the dish. Instead of liver spread, we will be using 1/4 cup of peanut butter or cheese to thicken the sauce and add a distinct taste. Mix this in with the beef and cook for 2 minutes.
Afterwards, pour in 1 can (8 oz.) of tomato sauce and mix well. Then, add 2 cups of beef broth to the pot. Cover and let it simmer over low heat for 45 minutes to an hour or until the beef is tender.
If you find that the mixture is too dry, you can add a little bit of water to keep it from sticking to the pot.
Finally, add your desired vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, and olives. Let it cook for another 10-15 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
With this recipe, you can still achieve the distinct aroma and taste of Filipino kaldereta without using liver spread. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and adjust according to your preferences. Enjoy!
Adding Vegetables And Spices
To add more flavor and nutrition to your beef caldereta without liver spread, you can add various vegetables and spices to the dish. One of the most common vegetables used in this dish is potatoes. You can peel and cut them into bite-sized pieces before adding them to the pot. Carrots are also a great addition, as they add a sweet and earthy flavor to the stew. Cut them into thin rounds or small cubes and add them to the pot along with the potatoes.
Another vegetable that goes well with beef caldereta is green peas. You can use fresh or frozen peas, depending on what is available. Simply add them to the pot during the last few minutes of cooking, so they don’t become too mushy.
Bell peppers are also a great addition to this dish, as they add color and a slightly sweet flavor. Cut them into thin strips and add them to the pot during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
To enhance the flavor of your beef caldereta, you can also add some spices. Chili powder is a popular choice, as it adds a bit of heat to the dish. You can sprinkle a pinch or two of chili powder over the stew after adding the brown sugar. Another spice that goes well with beef caldereta is paprika, which adds a smoky flavor to the dish.
Cooking And Simmering The Beef Caldereta
Once you have added the beef broth and tomato sauce to the pot, it’s time to simmer the beef caldereta. Cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer over low heat for 45 minutes to an hour. This will allow the beef to absorb the flavors of the sauce and become tender.
Make sure to check on the mixture periodically to ensure that it doesn’t dry out. If you find that there isn’t enough liquid in the pot, you can add a little bit of water to keep it from sticking.
After the beef has simmered for 45 minutes to an hour, it’s time to add your desired vegetables. Potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, and olives are all great options for this dish. Simply add them to the pot and let them cook for another 10-15 minutes until they are tender.
Once your vegetables are cooked, your beef caldereta is ready to serve! This recipe is a great alternative for those who don’t have liver spread on hand or prefer not to use it in their cooking. The peanut butter or cheese adds a unique flavor and thickens the sauce just like liver spread would.
Serving And Enjoying Your Liver-free Beef Caldereta
Once your beef caldereta is done cooking, it’s time to serve and enjoy it with your loved ones. This dish is best served with a hot bowl of steamed rice. You can also pair it with some crusty bread or even mashed potatoes if you prefer.
To add a little bit of freshness to the dish, you can sprinkle some chopped parsley or cilantro on top before serving. This will also add a pop of color to the dish.
If you want to make it more festive, you can also garnish it with some sliced green onions or red chili peppers. This will not only make the dish look more appealing, but it will also add a little bit of heat to it.
When serving this dish, make sure to have some extra sauce on the side. This will allow your guests to pour more sauce over their rice or bread if they prefer.
Lastly, don’t forget to enjoy your liver-free beef caldereta with your loved ones. This dish is perfect for any occasion and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
