Comments on: Bistek Tagalog, Revisited

By: Apicio

Apicio — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 22:46:23 +0000

The most popular potted plant here before it was edged over by cloned phalaenopsis was the fruit bearing calamondin from the Philippines. Thatâ€™s about the only way you can have real calamansi this close to the Arctic circle. Failing that, you can use soya sauce tauted to have been blended with calamansi juice but you soon discover that itâ€™s an out and out deception. We use limes instead and make up for the missing and missed calamansi dimension by (over)compensating with the other ingredients. The thinly sliced Korean beef they call bulgoki is great because itâ€™s flavorful, cheap and requires only slight cooking. Vidalia or Mayan sweet onions is excellent specially for those who adore onions and for whom the beef is just an afterthought. And finally, you face an impediment of choice here when it comes to soya sauce, my favorite is Lee Kum Kee from Singapore.

By: Gourmet Traveller

Gourmet Traveller — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 19:05:40 +0000

Thanks for the post on bistek! We love beefsteak tagalog and have it for dinner often. Since we can’t get kalamansi in Spain, we use either lemons or limes for the marinade and thinly-sliced rib eye which has more fat. This is classic Filipino comfort food.

By: Kongkong622

Kongkong622 — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 02:01:52 +0000

This is weird but my husband and kids like Bistek with French Fries and Onions. It was a suggestion from my MIL (who is a caterer). Tried it..loved it too :)

By: CecileJ

CecileJ — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 01:54:18 +0000

You can try frying up the onion rings first and set aside. The put them back in later when the bistek is cooked. This way they keep a bit of crunch. ( I prefer the Spanish onions rather than the red onions for the same reason you gave. I also, obviously like a bit of crunch in my onions and not the wilted kind)

By: Mary-Ann Evangelista

Mary-Ann Evangelista — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 01:37:43 +0000

Pha-taly bet it! Gosh! that really cracked me up!
This morning, I was just thinking of my mom’s special- bipstik!
What a timing that you posted it.
Anyway, she adds some cube cheese for added saltiness when it’s almost cooked. This meal and 7-Up made us feel much better when we were sick.