Balbacua is a popular Filipino dish that has its roots in Spanish cuisine. The dish is slow-cooked for almost a day, resulting in a rich and flavorful stew that is perfect for any occasion. While it may take some time to prepare, the end result is well worth the effort.
History of Balbacua
The history of balbacua can be traced back to the Spanish colonial period. The dish was originally called “barbacoa,” which means “slow cooking meat on an open fire.” The Spanish colonizers brought the dish to the Philippines and it eventually became a popular meal in the country. Over time, Filipinos put their own spin on the dish by adding local ingredients and cooking methods.
Balbacua Ingredients
The traditional balbacua recipe requires ox tail, beef brisket, and peanuts. However, ox tail can be quite expensive and difficult to find in some areas. As a substitute, you can use ox skin and beef ribs to simulate the texture and flavor of ox tail. You can also use ox feet to substitute for the ox skin if you can’t find ox skin in the wet market of supermarkets.
Usually local supermarkets in the Philippines has ox feet available in the meat section. Other ingredients include anise, onion, tumeric, chili peppers, salted black beans, leeks, and annato oil.
How to Cook Balbacua
To cook balbacua, you will need to be patient as the dish requires a long cooking time. First, boil the ox tail in salt and water for 15 minutes, then drain. Boil the ox tail again in water with tumeric, anise, and onion, then simmer for 2-3 hours, or until semi-tender. Add beef brisket and peanuts, then continue boiling over low fire for another 2-3 hours. When the tail and briskets are almost tender, add chili peppers, salted black beans, leeks, and annato oil. Cook for another 30 minutes to 1 hour and season with patis (fish sauce) to taste.
Alternatively, you can use a pressure cooker to tenderize the ox tail and beef briskets. After boiling the meat for an hour, drain and set aside. Reserve the broth for later use. In a separate pan, make annato oil by heating annato seeds in oil. Then, sauté garlic, onion, and ginger until slightly brown.
Adding the Oxtail or Ox feet
Add the beef and ox feet or oxtail and sauté until slightly brown. Once the meat is slightly browned, add some broth to the pan, just enough to cover the meat, and bring it to a boil. Then, add in the salted black beans, anise cloves, chili peppers, and turmeric powder. Give it a good stir and then cover and cook for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, add in the pork and beans and leeks, then cover again and cook for an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until the sauce has slightly thickened. Finally, season with patis or salt to taste.
Serve the balbacua hot with rice, and enjoy the rich and flavorful dish that has been enjoyed by generations of Filipinos.
In Summary
Balbacua is a rich and flavorful Filipino dish that has been passed down for generations. It requires a long cooking time but the result is a hearty and satisfying meal that is perfect for special occasions or for a comforting family dinner. Whether you choose to make the traditional slow-cooked version or the quicker pressure cooker method, balbacua is a must-try for any food lover.
Notes on the Ingredients:
Ox Tail
The ox tail is the star of the dish and is crucial to its rich flavor and tender texture. This cut of meat is composed of bone, connective tissue, and meat, which requires slow and low cooking to break down the tough connective tissues and produce a flavorful broth. When cooked properly, the meat should fall off the bone and melt in your mouth.
Beef Brisket
Beef brisket is a tougher cut of meat that comes from the breast section of the cow. It’s often used in stews and braises because of its deep flavor and marbling, which helps to create a rich broth. Like the ox tail, it needs long cooking times to become tender and impart its flavor to the dish.
Peanuts
Peanuts are a popular ingredient in balbacua and are often used to thicken the broth and add a nutty flavor to the dish. They also provide a subtle crunch to the texture. The peanuts are typically ground into a paste or powder and added to the broth towards the end of the cooking process.
Star Anise
Also known as anise cloves, this spice has a licorice-like flavor and is commonly used in Asian cuisine. Anise has a sweet, licorice-like flavor that pairs well with the rich flavors of the meat. It also has a slight numbing effect on the tongue.
How to Cook Balbacua
Ingredients
- 1 kilo ox tail cut in serving size (or you can use half kilo of ox skin or ox feet and half kilo of beef ribs)
- 1/2 kilo beef briskets cut in serving size
- 150 grams raw peanuts shelled and peeled or ground peanuts
- 1 small can black salted beans drain and rinse in running water then drain again
- 1 small can pork and beans
- 1 red onion bulbs peeled and quartered
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pc fresh tumeric or luyang dilaw , about 3 inches
- 2 stalks baby leeks sliced (optional)
- 3 cloves star anise
- 2 pcs chili peppers
- 1 Tbsp. annato oil
- Patis or fish sauce to taste
Instructions
How to cook Balbacua:
- Boil ox tail in salt and water for 15 minutes, drain.
- Boil ox tail again in water with tumeric, anise, garlic and onion then simmer for about 2-3 hours, or until semi-tender.
- Add beef briskets and peanuts then continue boiling over low fire for another 2-3 hours.
- When tail and briskets are almost tender, add chili peppers, salted black beans, pork and beans, leeks and annato oil.
- Cook for another 30 minute to 1 hour and season with patis to taste. Serve hot.
Video
Notes
Cooking Tips for Balbacua:
- Use a pressure cooker or slow cooker: Balbacua is a dish that requires a long cooking time to tenderize the meat. Using a pressure cooker or slow cooker can help speed up the process and make the meat extra tender.
- Choose the right cut of meat: The best cuts of meat for balbacua are beef shanks or oxtail. These cuts have a lot of connective tissue that will break down during the long cooking time, resulting in tender and flavorful meat.
- Use fresh herbs and spices: Balbacua is a flavorful dish that relies on a combination of herbs and spices. Use fresh ingredients such as garlic, turmeric, and onions for the best flavor.
- Don't be afraid to adjust the seasoning: Balbacua is a dish that can be adjusted to your taste. If you prefer it spicier, add more chili peppers or chili powder. If you like it sweeter, add some sugar or honey.
- Let it rest: Once the balbacua is done cooking, let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the meat to absorb the sauce.
Nutrition Notes:
Calorie and other nutrition information is derived from HappyFolks.Com recipe nutrition calculator. The percent daily value (%DV) is based on a daily 2,000 calorie diet.Nutrition Information:
Amount per Serving:200g, Calories:439kcal, From fat:222, Total fat:25.2g, Saturated Fat:7.4g, Trans Fat:0.1g, Cholesterol: 140mg, Sodium: 495g, Total Carbohydrate: 6g, Dietary Fiber: 2g, Sugars: 2g, Protein: 46g, Vitamin A: 9%, Vitamin C: 42%, Calcium: 5%, Iron: 33%
