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Kinamatisang Baka - Beef with Tomatoes

Kinamatisang Baka translates to beef cooked in tomatoes, for Filipinos. This is a basic beef short ribs stew that's cooked in a bounty of sweet, sliced tomatoes and flavored with patis (fish sauce). Leafy greens are added for a wholesome all-in-one meal. This is an Asian in America recipe by Elizabeth Ann Quirino.
*I shared how to cook the beef in 2 alternate ways: either in the Instant Pot pressure cooker or on the stovetop. Cooking time indicated is for the Instant Pot .
Cook Time55 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Filipino
Keyword: Kinamatisang Baka
Servings: 2 people
Calories: 1kcal
Author: Elizabeth Ann Quirino

Equipment

  • Instant Pot multicooker - 6 or 8 quarts
  • Large saucepan
  • large stockpot (if cooking beef stovetop)

Ingredients

For beef

  • 4 to 5 pounds beef chuck short ribs, bone-in; about 4 to 5 pieces
  • 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ of a whole onion, chopped
  • 6 to 8 cups beef broth; or water
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

For tomatoes and vegetables:

  • 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled, minced
  • ½ of a whole onion, chopped
  • 5 to 6 whole tomatoes, sliced
  • 1 Tablespoon patis (fish sauce)
  • 3 to 4 cups beef stock ; from cooking the beef short ribs
  • 250 grams green beans, sliced into 2-inch length pieces
  • 2 cups baby spinach, washed
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

For serving:

  • steamed rice

Instructions

To cook the beef short ribs in the Instant Pot: (option 1)

  • Wash the beef short ribs in cold, running water to remove any trace of blood. Dry with paper towels.
    Click Saute button on keypad.
    Pour the 2 tablespoons oil into the inside pot.
    When oil is hot in about 2 minutes, over medium-high heat, saute the garlic and onions.
    Add the beef short ribs. Pour the beef broth.
    Season with salt and black pepper.
    Click Cancel to turn off Saute function.
  • Close and lock the lid. Set the Sealing valve to face away from you.
    Click Manual + High Pressure + Meat/stews + 40 minutes.
    When timer beeps to signal cooking is done, set the valve forward and do a Natural Release.
    Carefully unlock and remove the lid of the Instant Pot. Set the lid on the counter.
    Remove the beef pieces and set aside.
    Reserve 4 cups of the broth for cooking with tomatoes.
    *Note: You can keep the leftover beef broth in the freezer for soup stock in other dishes.

To cook Kinamatisang Baka:

  • In a large, deep saucepan, pour the oil. When oil is hot enough, saute the garlic and onions.
    Add the tomatoes and press the slices with the back of a cooking spoon, for juices to burst out.
    Pour the patis and mix with the ingredients.
    Pour the reserved beef broth of about 4 cups.
  • Add the green beans into the saucepan. Cover and continue cooking for 10 minutes till beans are soft.
    Add the softened beef . Then add the spinach. Season with salt and black pepper.
    Turn off heat and let the leafy spinach cook for 1 minute in the residual heat.
    Serve warm with rice.

To cook beef short ribs stovetop (option 2)

  • In a large, deep stockpot, over medium-high heat, pour the oil. When oil is hot enough, saute the garlic and onions.
    Add the beef. Pour the stock. Season with salt and pepper.
    Cover and cook till beef is tender for about 2 hours.
    When beef is fork-tender, remove from the stockpot and set aside.
    Reserve about 4 cups broth for cooking with tomatoes.

Cook's comments:

  • Feel free to add other vegetables and greens like eggplant, sitaw (long green beans), kangkong (water spinach), bok choy, cabbage or even kale if preferred.
    You can also use boneless beef stew cubes for this recipe. Adjust cooking time for boneless cuts to a shorter period.

Nutrition

Serving: 100g | Calories: 1kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.3g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.02g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 581mg | Potassium: 7mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.1mg