Remember this dish? If you’re Filipino and grew up in the Philippines, you would.  If not, check out a cheap carinderia or turo-turo in any street corner in Metro Manila and chances are you’ll find it.  It’s cheap, it can feed a crowd depending on three variables:  how much rice you servewith it; how much potatoes are in the dish and how salty you make the dish. It has raisins to satisfy that infamous Filipino sweet tooth.  Now do you remember?

Funny how I forgot about this dish until I was reading some Pinoy college kids’ blog where it was mentioned. I served this particular one with steamed brown rice which turned out to be a good pairing.  Actually, Spouse liked it very much and asked me why I never cooked it before. Well, now I have…

Giniling na Baka, Turo-Turo Style

1 lb. ground beef, low-fat

2 tbsps. cooking oil

2 garlic cloves, peeled and mashed

1 small red onion, chopped

2 tbsps. fish sauce

2 large tomatoes, seeded and diced

3 tbsps. tomato paste

1-2 tbsps. soy sauce, depending on taste

1/2 c. water

3 small new potatoes, peeled and diced

1 large carrot, peeled and diced

1 small green bell pepper, seeded and diced

1/2 c. frozen peas

1/4 c. raisins

salt and pepper

Heat oil in a wok over medium high heat.  Add garlic and stir fry till almost, but not quite brown. Add onions and cook till translucent. Add ground beef and cook till the pink is gone from the meat. Add fish sauce and stiry fry another minute or two. Add tomatoes, cover and cook about 2 mintues or until tomatoes are tender enough to mash and incorporate into cooking meat. Add the soya sauce, tomato paste and stir well. Add the water, potatoes and carrots. Stir and bring to a boil.  Cover and allow to simmer over moderately low heat about 5 minutes or until potatoes are tender.  Add the rest of the ingredients and cook covered until peppers are crips-tender, about 3 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.