The Philippines' National Dish
Kare-Kare is a traditional Filipino stew widely recognized as one of the country’s national dishes. It is a savory and flavorful dish made with oxtail, tripe, and vegetables such as eggplant, string beans, and banana heart, all cooked in a rich peanut sauce. Vegetables, such as eggplant, Chinese cabbage, or other greens, daikon, green beans, okra, and asparagus beans, are added. The stew is flavored with ground roasted peanuts or peanut butter, onions, and garlic. It is colored with annatto and can be thickened with toasted or plain ground rice.
Condiments and other flavorings are usually added. It is often eaten with bagoong (shrimp paste), sometimes spiced with chili, ginisang bagoong (spiced and sautéed shrimp paste), and sprinkled with calamansi juice. Other seasonings are added at the table.
Traditionally, any Filipino fiesta is not complete without kare-kare.
Kare-Kare is a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit different palates and dietary needs. While the traditional version of Kare-Kare is made with beef or oxtail, it can also be prepared using other types of meat or even vegetables.
A more modern twist to the classic Filipino kare-kare uses a different dish as the main meat for this dish. Pork is one of the most economical and easiest meats to cook. The most common meats repurposed for kare-kare are lechon (which is also used for lechon kawali) and crispy pata (crispy pork shank). While these adaptations of Kare-Kare are delicious in their own right, they differ from the traditional version in terms of taste and texture. Using different meats and vegetables changes the flavor profile of the dish, and the consistency of the peanut sauce may also vary. Nonetheless, these adaptations and variations are a testament to the versatility and adaptability of Kare-Kare, making it a dish that people with different tastes and dietary requirements can enjoy.
Kare-kare's history as a Filipino food goes back centuries. There are four stories as to the origins of kare-kare.
The first one is that it came from Pampanga, the province which became known all over the country as the "culinary capital of the Philippines". The Kapampangan people often have a reputation for cooking to their hearts' content and coming up with deliciously rich fare.
The second is that the dish, specifically the sauce, from the galleon ships of Acapulco. Its key ingredient, the mani or peanut, was widely transported in it just like corn, also from the Aztec Empire and from a distant land. The only difference is the type of pork part. In Mexico it is the loin/ Lomo or Maciza. In the Philippines, it is the pork tail or oxtail. The word "Kare-Kare" is supposedly a diminutive of "Cari" which was a term to denote "golden brown".
The third comes from the regal dishes of the Moro elite who settled in Manila before the Spanish arrival. In Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, kare-kare remains a popular dish).
The fourth story is from Indian sepoys from Southern India that settled in Philippines during the British occupation of Manila, they improvised their own cuisine with available materials. They called it kari-kaari, curry, and now, kare-kare. Its name derived from a reduplication of Tamil: romanized: kari, 'curry; thick sauce'. Kare-kare has a similar flavor to satay because of the peanuts in the sauce.
In the Philippines, if something is particularly good or desirable, it's common practice to say its name twice, so since "kare" means "curry," you could say that a loose translation of kare-kare is "really good curry."
Kare-Kare’s popularity has steadily increased in recent years, with the dish gaining a following beyond the Philippines. One reason is the growing interest in international cuisine, with more people seeking authentic dishes from different cultures.
Filipino restaurants around the world have started to feature Kare-Kare on their menus, making it more accessible to people who are interested in trying out Filipino cuisine. For example, popular Filipino restaurant chains like Jollibee and Max’s Restaurant in the United States serve Kare-Kare. Filipino restaurants in countries like the United Kingdom, Spain, and Germany offer Kare-Kare in Europe.
Social media has also played a significant role in the spread of Kare-Kare’s popularity. Food bloggers and influencers have shared their experiences of trying Kare-Kare, often accompanied by mouth-watering photos that showcase the dish’s rich colors and textures. This has helped to generate buzz around Kare-Kare and has led to more people becoming curious about the dish.
Furthermore, Kare-Kare’s popularity has also been boosted by its inclusion in various food and travel programs. Many television shows and YouTube channels have featured the dish, showcasing its unique flavors and history to worldwide audiences. The combination of social media, the rise of international cuisine, and media exposure have contributed to Kare-Kare’s growing popularity in the global culinary scene. The increasing popularity of Kare-Kare in the global culinary scene has helped put Filipino cuisine on the map. It has helped highlight the unique flavors and ingredients commonly used in Filipino cooking. In addition, the popularity of Kare-Kare has led to more attention being given to other Filipino dishes, helping to showcase the rich diversity of Filipino cuisine to a broader audience.
In conclusion, Kare-Kare has risen to global fame and become a significant culinary dish. It is a testament to the versatility and adaptability of Filipino cuisine, and its increasing popularity has helped to put Filipino cuisine on the map. Kare-Kare’s recognition in international culinary events and competitions has helped to showcase Filipino cuisine’s unique flavors and ingredients. It has encouraged more experimentation with Filipino flavors in the global culinary scene. Its popularity has also helped to promote the use of traditional Filipino ingredients. It has increased opportunities for Filipino chefs and restaurants to showcase their culinary skills and creations. Kare-Kare’s rise to global fame signifies the growing interest and appreciation for diverse cuisines and their unique flavors.
@mariamikaelahenson