Bistek

Bistek
	Bistek tagalog
Alternative names	bistek tagalog, bistik, bistig, bistec tagalo, carne frita, karne frita, karne prita
Course	Main course
Place of origin	Philippines
Serving temperature	Hot
Main ingredients	Beef sirloin or tenderloin, soy sauce, calamansi juice, garlic, onions, black pepper, bay leaves, sugar (optional)
Other information	Eaten with rice
	Media: Bistek;

Bistek (from Spanish: bistec, "beefsteak"), also known as bistek tagalog or karne frita, is a Filipino dish consisting of thinly-sliced beefsteak braised in soy sauce, calamansi juice, garlic, ground black pepper, and onions cut into rings. It is a common staple in the Tagalog and Western Visayan regions of the Philippines. It is eaten over white rice.^[1]^[2]

Description

Bistek tagalog is made of strips of beef sirloin or tenderloin, usually flattened with a meat tenderizing tool, it is marinated then braised in soy sauce, calamansi juice (or some other citrus fruit like lime or lemon), smashed whole garlic cloves, ground black pepper, bay leaves, caramelized red onion rings, and (optionally) muscovado or brown sugar. In some recipes, fresh white onion rings are used instead to preserve its crunchiness.^[1]^[3]

In the Western Visayas, bistek tagalog is known as karne frita (also spelled carne frita, literally "fried meat" in Spanish), not to be confused with the breaded cutlet (milanesa), which is also called carne frita in the Philippines. It is cooked identically to the Tagalog version, but differs in that it is always cooked with sugar.^[4]^[5]

Variations

A modern version of bistek is bistek na baboy ("pork bistek"; bistig babi in Kapampangan), in which pork—pork chops or pork belly slices—is used instead of beef. Other modern versions can also use slices of chicken or filleted fish.^[3]

Vegan versions can also substitute beef with tofu.^[6]

Similar dishes

Bistec encebollado is a similar dish found throughout other Spanish-speaking countries. It differs from bistek tagalog in that it does not use soy sauce or citrus juices, but uses vinegar and various local herbs and ingredients instead. Other similar dishes include the bistec de Palomilla of Cuba, bistec a caballo of Colombia, and the bistec ranchero of Mexico.^[7]

In the Marianas Islands, Bistek is prepared similarly to Filipino Bistek, but is often made with vinegar instead of citrus juice. Achiote is also added and is typically served with peas.^[8]

References

^ ^a ^b Ponseca, Nicole; Trinidad, Miguel (2018). I Am a Filipino: And This Is How We Cook. Artisan Books. pp. 74–75. ISBN 9781579658823.
^ Manalo, Lalaine (July 10, 2018). "Bistek". Kawaling Pinoy. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
^ ^a ^b Polistico, Edgie (2017). Philippine Food, Cooking, & Dining Dictionary. Anvil Publishing, Inc. ISBN 9786214200870.
^ "Carne Frita". Ang Sarap. December 10, 2018. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
^ Cueva, Stephanie. "Ilonggo-Style Karne Frita Recipe". Yummy.ph. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
^ Jeeca Uy (2021). Vegan Asian: A Cookbook: The Best Dishes from Thailand, Japan, China and More Made Simple. Page Street Publishing. ISBN 9781645672814.
^ Martin, M.G. (December 7, 2016). "The food of the Philippines: Bistek Tagalog". Philippines Lifestyle News. Archived from the original on February 17, 2017. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
^ "Chamorro Bistek (or Bisteak)". Annies Chamorro Kitchen. September 26, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2022.