Are you tired of the same old breakfast options? Why not try making your own beef tapa flakes?
This Filipino dish is a delicious and easy way to switch up your morning routine. With just a few simple steps, you can create a flavorful and crispy meal that will leave you feeling satisfied all day long.
In this article, we will guide you through the process of making beef tapa flakes from scratch. So, grab your apron and let’s get cooking!
How To Make Beef Tapa Flakes?
Step 1: Prepare the Beef
Start by pounding the beef slices with a meat mallet to make them thinner. This will help the meat cook faster and more evenly. Once you’ve pounded the beef, marinate it in a mixture of minced garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, pepper, and a bit of apple cider vinegar or any vinegar you have. For best results, marinate the meat overnight. If you’re short on time, 30 minutes will do.
Step 2: Cook the Beef
After marinating the beef, fry the slices until they’re cooked through. Let them cool and then shred the beef into small pieces. You have two options for cooking the shreds further: deep fry them to make them super crispy or pan fry them in hot oil over high heat. Either way, you’ll end up with delicious and crispy beef tapa flakes.
Step 3: Serve and Enjoy
Once your beef tapa flakes are cooked to your liking, it’s time to serve and enjoy! You can pair them with garlic fried rice or regular rice for a filling breakfast meal. You can also add some vegetables on the side for a healthier option.
Ingredients Needed
To make beef tapa flakes, you’ll need the following ingredients:
– Beef slices (thinly sliced)
– Minced garlic
– Soy sauce
– Brown sugar
– Pepper
– Apple cider vinegar or any vinegar you have
– Oil for frying
Optional ingredients:
– Vegetables for serving (such as sliced tomatoes or cucumber)
– Garlic fried rice or regular rice
Preparing The Beef Tapa
To make the perfect beef tapa flakes, start by preparing the beef. Get some beef sirloin and cut it into thin strips. Using a meat mallet, pound the beef slices to make them thinner. This will help the meat cook faster and more evenly.
Next, prepare the marinade. In a bowl, mix minced garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, pepper, and a bit of apple cider vinegar or any vinegar you have. Make sure to mix everything well to ensure that the flavors are evenly distributed.
Place the beef strips in a ziplock bag or a container with a lid and pour the marinade over them. Make sure that all the meat is coated with the marinade. For best results, marinate the meat overnight in the fridge. If you’re short on time, 30 minutes will do.
When you’re ready to cook the beef tapa flakes, remove the meat from the marinade and let it come to room temperature. Heat up some oil in a pan and fry the slices until they’re cooked through. Once cooked, let them cool and then shred the beef into small pieces.
You have two options for cooking the shreds further: deep fry them to make them super crispy or pan fry them in hot oil over high heat. Either way, you’ll end up with delicious and crispy beef tapa flakes.
Once your beef tapa flakes are cooked to your liking, it’s time to serve and enjoy! You can pair them with garlic fried rice or regular rice for a filling breakfast meal. You can also add some vegetables on the side for a healthier option.
Marinating The Beef Tapa
Marinating the beef is an important step in making beef tapa flakes. The marinade is what gives the meat its signature sweet, salty, and tangy flavor. To make the marinade, combine soy sauce, minced garlic, brown sugar, pepper, and a bit of vinegar in a bowl. You can adjust the amount of each ingredient to suit your taste preferences.
It’s important to use thinly sliced beef for this recipe so that it cooks quickly and evenly. If your beef slices are too thick, you can pound them with a meat mallet to make them thinner. Once you’ve prepared the beef, add it to the marinade and make sure that each slice is fully coated with the mixture.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or overnight for best results. Marinating the beef overnight allows the flavors to fully penetrate the meat, resulting in a more flavorful dish.
When you’re ready to cook the beef tapa flakes, remove the beef from the marinade and let any excess marinade drip off. You can discard the remaining marinade or save it for later use. Fry the beef slices in a pan until they’re cooked through and then let them cool before shredding them into small pieces.
Cooking The Beef Tapa Flakes
To cook the beef tapa flakes, start by heating up some oil in a pan. Once the oil is hot, add the shredded beef and fry it until it’s crispy and golden brown. You’ll know the beef is cooked when the frying sound becomes minimal. If you prefer your beef tapa strips to be well-done and extra crispy, you can let them fry for a bit longer.
If you’re deep-frying the beef tapa flakes, heat up enough oil in a deep pan until it’s hot. Carefully add the shredded beef and fry it until it’s crispy and golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove the beef from the oil and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to remove any excess oil.
Once your beef tapa flakes are cooked to perfection, serve them with some garlic fried rice or regular rice. You can also sprinkle some fried garlic and onion rings on top for added flavor and texture. Don’t forget to serve it with some maanghang na suka (spiced vinegar) on the side for that extra kick of flavor. Enjoy your delicious and crispy beef tapa flakes!
Serving Suggestions And Variations
There are many ways to enjoy beef tapa flakes, and here are some serving suggestions and variations to try:
1. Tapsilog – This is a classic Filipino breakfast dish that consists of beef tapa flakes, garlic fried rice, and a fried egg. You can also add some pickled green papaya (achara) on the side for a tangy contrast to the savory flavors.
2. Beef Tapa Burrito – For a fusion twist, stuff your beef tapa flakes into a pita wrap, soft tortilla, or lumpia wrapper with some beans, salsa, and sour cream. This Fil-Mex fusion is sure to be a hit!
3. Beef Tapa Salad – If you’re looking for a healthier option, toss your beef tapa flakes with some mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and your favorite salad dressing. This is perfect for a light lunch or dinner.
4. Beef Tapa Stir-fry – You can also use your beef tapa flakes as a protein source for stir-fries. Simply sauté some vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and carrots in a wok or pan, then add the beef tapa flakes and season with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil.
5. Beef Tapa Sandwich – Make a hearty sandwich by layering your beef tapa flakes with some lettuce, tomato slices, cheese, and mayo on your favorite bread. This is perfect for a quick and satisfying meal on-the-go.
These are just some of the many ways to enjoy beef tapa flakes. Don’t be afraid to experiment and come up with your own variations!
