Americanized Kare Kare

Will try to take a better pic later.  This was the lazy American photo taking at work as well. (iPhone)

Kare Kare (pronounced care-re, care-re)is a Filipino dish that is usually made with oxtail, peanuts (or peanut butter), coconut milk, and veggies like bok choy and/or eggplant or beans.   This dish is one that has a nice long simmer and cooks over an entire day, but because I already had head cheese that was pre-cooked, it was the perfect meat to use in my quick and lazy American Kare Kare.  Someday, I might post a recipe of the authentic way to make this dish.  But for now, here’s the lazy way . . . .

This recipe is Filipino Hubs approved:

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons butter or coconut oil

~ 3 c Leftover stew meat/head cheese (from pork head)

(optional:  3/4 c water or stock — I had plenty of gelatin from my head cheese but if you are using regular leftovers you will need a little liquid)

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala (recipe here)

1 Tablespoons peanut butter (or any nut butter)

1 cup coconut milk

16 oz fresh spinach (Or other quick cooking veggie. Remember, this is Americanized)

Salt (to taste)  I didn’t need any because my garam masala and leftover meat had plenty.

Fresh ground pepper to taste

Lazy American Instructions

1)  In a deep pan, melt butter or coconut oil then add garlic to saute until just lightly browned.

2)  Add leftover meat/head cheese and broth to the pot.  Allow to warm through over medium high heat for about 4-5 minutes.

3)  While warming, add peanut butter and garam masala and mix well.

4)  Add the spinach or other quick cooking veggie and allow to cook down.

5)  Add coconut milk and mix well.  Allow to warm through on medium heat.

6)  Add salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.  (Check the flavor before adding salt as my recipe for garam masala has added salt already)

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