Kare-kare (Beef Stew in Peanut Sauce)

Kare-kare is one of my favorite Filipino foods,

From Kare-kare

and I think the best part to use for this dish is what we Filipinos refer to as kenchi (our freezer stock is labeled "soup bone" but the actual cut is from the shanks. The Mama Sita's ready mix has the "oxtail" on the procedure. Well, it is good for the flavor, but shank meat is best for eating enjoyment of this Pinoy dish. When I do want this dish, I usually make bulalo with more meat and soup than we could use, so that I will have leftover boiled meat for kare-kare. And I do not put salt to achieve the right saltiness because kare-kare is meant to be not salty, so we can enjoy it with bagoong alamang (shrimp paste). This is how I prepare it.

Prepare in a slow cooker the following:
oxtail, soup bones (Boil first in plain water for 10-15 minutes, removing scum as it rises, then dish these out and place in slow cooker)
water, enough to cover the meat/bones and some more
3-5 cloves garlic
10-15 peppercorns
5 bay leaves
some salt

Slow cook for 8 hours on low setting.

Set aside 3 cups of broth. Boil the vegetables (typically chunks of eggplant which go first followed by green beans.

Meanwhiel, in a bowl, mix and blend well the following:
1 cup broth
3/4 cup peanut butter
1 pouch Mama Sita Stew Base Mix Pang Kare-kare

When eggplant and green beans are done, add the mixture and stir to mix well until thickened to desired consistency. Add bok choy and cook for about 1-2 minutes.

Serve over hot rice with shrimp paste.

My younger son and I love it. My older son, so-so. My husband, forget it. He never did like any meat part with lots of fascia/ligaments in it, tender or not.