How to Cook Nilagang Baka
Nilagang baka is a Filipino beef soup with vegetables like carrots, potatoes, cabbage and pechay.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 382kcal
Ingredients
- 3/4 kilo beef sirloin, bone-in ribs, chuck shoulder sliced in 2 inches length
- 2 pcs beef bouillon dissolved in 4 cups water or 4 cups beef bones soup stock
- 1 tsp. whole peppercorn
- 1 pc onion sliced
- 2 pcs medium size carrots sliced in four portion
- 3 pcs medium size potatoes sliced in four portion
- 1 bunch small pechay optional
- 1 head small cabbage sliced in four portion
- 100 grams green beans or Baguio beans
- Salt to taste
- MSG or granulated seasoning to taste optional
Instructions
How to cook Nilagang Baka:
- Boil the beef until tender with peppercorns and onion in a pot with the soup stock or the water with the dissolved bouillon. Add water if necessary to avoid drying up.
- Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Add the carrots and potatoes and simmer until potatoes are fork tender. Then add the remaining ingredients (cabbage, pechay, green beans) and put salt and MSG according to your taste. Serve hot.
Notes
Cooking Tips of Nilagang Baka recipe
- Choose Quality Beef: When preparing Nilagang Baka, the choice of beef plays a pivotal role in the dish's overall taste and texture. Opt for beef that includes a moderate amount of fat, as this fat content enhances the richness of the soup. Additionally, incorporating bony parts, such as beef ribs, contributes to a more robust and flavorful broth. The combination of lean meat and bony cuts ensures a harmonious balance, providing a delightful eating experience.
- Craft a Robust Broth: The foundation of a stellar Nilagang Baka lies in its broth. To achieve a rich and savory base, begin by boiling the beef with essential aromatics like peppercorns and onions. This step infuses the broth with the natural flavors of the ingredients. For an extra layer of depth, consider using a homemade soup stock derived from boiling beef bones. This simple yet crucial addition elevates the overall taste, making your Nilagang Baka a standout dish.
- Timing is Key for Vegetables: Achieving the perfect texture for vegetables in Nilagang Baka requires careful timing. Start by adding heartier vegetables like carrots and potatoes during the initial stages of simmering. This allows these ingredients to absorb the savory essence of the beef broth and attain the desired tenderness. To preserve the freshness and vibrant colors of more delicate vegetables like cabbage and pechay, introduce them later in the cooking process. This thoughtful approach ensures that each vegetable contributes its unique qualities to the dish, resulting in a visually appealing and well-balanced Nilagang Baka.