Thursday, September 1, 2011
DEFINITELY, a Spanish-influenced dish, Kaldereta (or Caldereta) is a very flavorful dish that is basically made up of tomato sauce or paste, potatoes, onions, bell peppers and onions.
Basically, a well-known and popular dish from Luzon, it has penetrated all parts of the Philippines and everywhere in the world where there are Pinoys.
This typical dish is more attached with “Kalderetang Kambing” (using goat’s meat) in some famous eateries and restaurants. But Beef Kaldereta comes next. Some even use chicken and or pork as base.
Whatever meat is used, the process of making this delectable dish is the same, except for the amount of time spent in cooking.
Also known as “stew”, the basics of this dish is to either marinate the meat or just season it with salt and pepper and pan frying it to “seal” in the meat’s juices, thereby producing a tender meat. Some would just basically throw everything in a pot and let it simmer till it is done.
I know that this is one of the most often prepared dishes in celebrations, be it during fiestas, birthdays, weddings or any get-together parties. Because of the ease of preparation and the addition of other ingredients, it can always be used to “augment” other dishes.
Make sure there is enough sauce to accompany the rice since this really “wets” one’s appetite! In fact, this is one dish that would be a sure hit when prepared “over rice.”
Other ingredients can also be added and/or substituted. Basic ingredients would include the following: garlic, onions, bell pepper, potatoes, tomato paste with the cubed meat marinated in soy sauce and vinegar mixture or salt and pepper. Depending on the budget or desire of the one preparing, other ingredients can be added like carrots, peas, olives, mushrooms, liver spread and many more, which again can be used as “extenders” for the dish.
Mixing meats can also be done but just make sure they are cooked in such a way that other meats do not become too soft. Always remember that chicken meat cook very fast so it can be added to the pot after the other meat or meats are almost done.
This also holds true with the addition of carrot, potatoes, bell pepper and the like. I always like my “veggies” half cook so I can still have that “crunch” when I bite into it! What about you?
What I have also noticed is that usually, there will be leftover, minus the meats. So how would one recycle them? Let me show you a few ways. One is to add more meats into the sauce left and let it simmer, which would be nice if you have more guests coming. Second, it can go through a blender and with the sauce, just add some hotdog slices and it now becomes a delicious “spaghetti” sauce! Third, it can also be turned into a soup. Just add some veggies and dilute it a bit. Voila! You have “new” dishes from a single “old” dish. Call it food recycling!
I am a tomato lover. Be it fresh or canned and made into any dish, it would be a delight! Now, what food comes in mind when we use tomatoes or its sauces? Of course, it would be everyone’s favorite, spaghetti, lasagna and pizza! What about the tomato catsup that accompanies our burger and French fries? Yummy! And the list can go on.
Below is a simple recipe for Kaldereta that everyone can try.
Oil for frying
Garlic
Onions
Bell pepper
Potatoes
Carrots
Cooked Peas
Tomato sauce or tomato paste
Fresh tomatoes, if desired
Cubed meat or chicken pieces
Salt and pepper to taste
In a casserole, sauté garlic, onions, bell pepper in hot oil.
This typical dish is more attached with “Kalderetang Kambing” (using goat’s meat) in some famous eateries and restaurants. But Beef Kaldereta comes next. Some even use chicken and or pork as base.
Whatever meat is used, the process of making this delectable dish is the same, except for the amount of time spent in cooking.
Also known as “stew”, the basics of this dish is to either marinate the meat or just season it with salt and pepper and pan frying it to “seal” in the meat’s juices, thereby producing a tender meat. Some would just basically throw everything in a pot and let it simmer till it is done.
I know that this is one of the most often prepared dishes in celebrations, be it during fiestas, birthdays, weddings or any get-together parties. Because of the ease of preparation and the addition of other ingredients, it can always be used to “augment” other dishes.
Make sure there is enough sauce to accompany the rice since this really “wets” one’s appetite! In fact, this is one dish that would be a sure hit when prepared “over rice.”
Other ingredients can also be added and/or substituted. Basic ingredients would include the following: garlic, onions, bell pepper, potatoes, tomato paste with the cubed meat marinated in soy sauce and vinegar mixture or salt and pepper. Depending on the budget or desire of the one preparing, other ingredients can be added like carrots, peas, olives, mushrooms, liver spread and many more, which again can be used as “extenders” for the dish.
Mixing meats can also be done but just make sure they are cooked in such a way that other meats do not become too soft. Always remember that chicken meat cook very fast so it can be added to the pot after the other meat or meats are almost done.
This also holds true with the addition of carrot, potatoes, bell pepper and the like. I always like my “veggies” half cook so I can still have that “crunch” when I bite into it! What about you?
What I have also noticed is that usually, there will be leftover, minus the meats. So how would one recycle them? Let me show you a few ways. One is to add more meats into the sauce left and let it simmer, which would be nice if you have more guests coming. Second, it can go through a blender and with the sauce, just add some hotdog slices and it now becomes a delicious “spaghetti” sauce! Third, it can also be turned into a soup. Just add some veggies and dilute it a bit. Voila! You have “new” dishes from a single “old” dish. Call it food recycling!
I am a tomato lover. Be it fresh or canned and made into any dish, it would be a delight! Now, what food comes in mind when we use tomatoes or its sauces? Of course, it would be everyone’s favorite, spaghetti, lasagna and pizza! What about the tomato catsup that accompanies our burger and French fries? Yummy! And the list can go on.
Below is a simple recipe for Kaldereta that everyone can try.
Oil for frying
Garlic
Onions
Bell pepper
Potatoes
Carrots
Cooked Peas
Tomato sauce or tomato paste
Fresh tomatoes, if desired
Cubed meat or chicken pieces
Salt and pepper to taste
In a casserole, sauté garlic, onions, bell pepper in hot oil.
Add the tomatoes, potatoes and carrots. Put in the meats. Add the tomato paste/sauce and add some water. Let it simmer till meats are tender. Add the peas. Season with salt and pepper.
Serve it hot with steamed rice and lots of love!
(Website: www.potsnpans1976.weebly.com; email: potsnpans1976@yahoo.com)
Serve it hot with steamed rice and lots of love!
(Website: www.potsnpans1976.weebly.com; email: potsnpans1976@yahoo.com)
Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on September 01, 2011.
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