Image Credit: Pepper.ph
Ingredients
**For the Marinade:**
– 250–300g beef sirloin
– ½–1 tbsp soy sauce
– 1 tbsp canola oil
– 1 tbsp cornstarch
– ½ tbsp calamansi juice (or substitute with lime/lemon juice)
– ½ tsp baking soda
**For the Bistek:**
– ⅓–½ cup water
– ¼ cup calamansi juice (or lime/lemon juice)
– 3–4 tbsp soy sauce
– ¾ tbsp grated garlic
– Pinch of cracked black pepper
– 3–4 tbsp oil
– 2 small white onions, sliced into rings
#### Instructions
##### 1. Prepare the Sirloin
– **Clean and Slice**: Clean the sirloin and remove any silverskin (the thin, silvery membrane). Slice the meat against the grain into thin strips. This helps ensure tenderness.
– **Tenderize**: Using a meat tenderizer, pound each slice until it’s almost translucent. This not only makes the meat more tender but also allows it to absorb the marinade better.
##### 2. Marinate the Sirloin
– **Combine Ingredients**: In a bowl, mix together ½–1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp canola oil, 1 tbsp cornstarch, ½ tbsp calamansi juice, and ½ tsp baking soda.
– **Marinate**: Add the sliced sirloin to the mixture, ensuring each piece is well coated. Let it marinate for about 35 minutes. This time allows the flavors to penetrate the meat and the baking soda to tenderize it further.
##### 3. Prepare the Sauce
– **Mix Sauce Ingredients**: While the beef is marinating, prepare the bistek sauce. In a separate bowl, combine ⅓–½ cup water, ¼ cup calamansi juice, 3–4 tbsp soy sauce, ¾ tbsp grated garlic, and a pinch of cracked black pepper. Mix well and set aside.
##### 4. Sear the Beef
– **Heat Oil**: In a pan, heat 3–4 tablespoons of oil over high heat until hot.
– **Sear Beef**: Add the marinated beef to the hot oil. Sear until well-browned on both sides, forming a slight crust. This should take just a few minutes. Once done, remove the seared beef from the pan and set it aside.
##### 5. Cook the Sauce
– **Boil and Simmer**: Pour the prepared sauce into the same pan. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low to maintain a steady simmer. Let the sauce reduce for a few minutes, allowing the garlic to cook and the flavors to meld together.
– **Combine**: Toss the seared beef back into the pan, mixing it with the sauce. Cook for 1–2 minutes to let the beef absorb the sauce.
##### 6. Cook the Onions and Serve
– **Add Onions**: Add the onion rings to the pan, cover, and cook until they are slightly tender but still crisp, about 1–2 minutes.
– **Final Touches**: Uncover the pan and transfer the bistek to a serving plate. Spoon extra sauce over the beef and onions.
– **Serve**: This dish is best enjoyed with hot, steamed rice. The savory sauce pairs perfectly with the fluffy rice, making each bite a delight.
### Enjoy Your Bistek Tagalog!
There you have it – a delicious, easy-to-make Bistek Tagalog that’s sure to impress! This dish is a wonderful blend of savory, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors, perfect for a family meal or a special occasion. Happy cooking, and enjoy your meal!
