Beef Mechado

Mechado is a Filipino beef tomato stew with potatoes, carrots, and onions. This dish is inspired by a culinary method from Spain. Mechado or mitsado is derived from the Spanish term mecha, meaning wick for the strip of pork fat sticking out of the beef like a candle.

Beef Mechado Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1/2 kilo red onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, mined
• 1 kilo beef, (use brisket), cut into large chunks
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 2 cups beef stock
• 3 potatoes, quartered
• 1 carrot, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 2 bell pepper, sliced
• salt, to taste

Cooking Procedure:

1. Heat cooking oil in a pot then sauté the onion and garlic.
2. Add the beef and sauté until lightly browned.
3. Pour in the tomato sauce, soy sauce, beef stock and let it boil for a few minutes.
4. Cover and continue to simmer everything over low heat until the beef is tender, approximately 1 hour. Check the pot from time to time if you need to add more stock or water.
5. Once the beef is tender, add in the potatoes, carrots and cook for about 10 minutes.
6. Add the bell pepper and cook for about 5 minutes just before serving.