Image Credit: Panlasang Pinoy
Ingredients
– **Main Ingredients:**
– 2 lbs beef chuck, cubed
– 1 piece large onion, sliced
– 8 ounces tomato sauce
– 1 cup water (plus extra as needed)
– 3 tbsp cooking oil
– 1 slice lemon with rind
– 1 piece large potato, sliced
– 1/4 cup soy sauce
– 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
– 2 pieces bay leaves (laurel)
– Salt to taste
#### Instructions
##### 1. Prepare Your Ingredients
1. Slice the onion and potato, and cube the beef chuck.
2. Gather the tomato sauce, water, cooking oil, lemon slice, soy sauce, ground black pepper, bay leaves, and salt.
##### 2. Sauté the Aromatics
1. Heat 3 tablespoons of cooking oil in a large pan over medium heat.
2. Add the sliced onions and sauté until they become soft and translucent.
3. Toss in the garlic and sauté until it’s fragrant and golden brown.
##### 3. Brown the Beef
1. Add the cubed beef chuck to the pan.
2. Sauté the beef for about 3 minutes, or until it turns a light brown color. This step helps to seal in the juices and add flavor.
##### 4. Simmer with Tomato Sauce
1. Pour in the 8 ounces of tomato sauce and 1 cup of water.
2. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
3. Cover the pan and let it simmer until the beef is tender. This can take anywhere from 60 to 120 minutes, depending on the quality of the beef.
– **Tip:** Check occasionally and add more water if necessary to prevent drying out.
##### 5. Season and Add Aromatics
1. Once the beef is tender, add the following to the pan:
– 1/4 cup soy sauce
– 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
– 1 slice lemon with rind
– 2 pieces bay leaves (laurel)
– Salt to taste
2. Continue to simmer until most of the excess liquid evaporates, concentrating the flavors.
##### 6. Cook the Potatoes
1. Add the sliced potatoes to the pan.
2. Cook until the potatoes are soft and tender, absorbing the delicious flavors of the sauce.
##### 7. Serve and Enjoy
1. Transfer the Beef Mechado to a serving plate.
2. Serve hot, preferably with steamed rice to soak up the savory sauce.
3. Share and enjoy this comforting and hearty dish with your loved ones!
There you have it, a step-by-step guide to making a delicious Beef Mechado. Cooking should always be a fun adventure, so enjoy the process and the wonderful aromas filling your kitchen. Happy cooking!
