Kare-kare

Grandma is fond of cooking lately. She prepared kare-kare last night and I want to share the recipe with you. Her kare kare is a combination of meat and vegetable stew in peanut sauce.

Ingredients:
2 1/2 lbs Pork hocks or oxtail (cut into 2" lengths)
1/2 lbs Stewing beef (optional to make a meatier dish)
1 1/2 tsp Salt
2 tbsp Cooking oil
2 Cloves garlic, minced
1 med Onion, sliced
1/2 cup Achute water (option
3 tbsp Peanut butter
2 tbsp Toasted powdered rice-Mochiko (optional)
1/2 lbs Green beans
1 medium Eggplant, cut into 8

Procedures:
Place hocks or oxtail pieces in a large pot.
Add enough water to cover.
Bring to boil, lower heat and simmer for 1-½ hours or until tender.
If using achute water, soak 1 tablespoon of achute seeds in water 30 minutes.
Squeeze seeds between your thumb and finger tips until the water turns red.
Strain and set red water aside.
Or heat 2 tablespoons saute achute seeds in oil until oil turns red, discard seeds.
Use oil sauteing rest of ingredients.
Heat oil in a skillet and saute garlic and onions.
Add cooked mea 2 cups of the broth.
Add and achute water.
Simmer for 15 minutes.
Stir in peanut butter and toasted rice powder, bring back to simme cook, stirring for 5 minutes.
Add green beans and eggplant.
Cook 10 minutes or until vegetables tender, stirring occasionally.
Correct the seasonings.
Serve with hot rice and bagoong, plain or sauteed.