BULALO

INGREDIENTS

1 piece of bulalo (bone-in beef shank), about 1 kg. in weight
1 whole onion
1 whole garlic
1 bay leaf
6-8 peppercorns
patis (fish sauce)
1/2 head of white cabbage
250 g. of potatoes

PROCEDURE

Place the beef shanks in a large casserole. Cover with water. Add the whole onion, garlic (pierced in several places with a sharp pointed knife), bay leaf and peppercorns. Season with patis. Set over high heat and bring to a boil, removing scum as it rises. Lower the heat, cover and simmer for two hours (longer, for a more flavorful broth) or until the beef is fork-tender.

Alternatively, pressure-cook for one hour and 30 minutes.

Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the beef shanks and transfer to a tureen or serving bowl. Strain the broth. Reheat to boiling point.

Peel the carrot and potatoes and cut into chunks. Core the cabbage and cut in half. Trim the ends of the pechay. Add the carrots to the broth and simmer for 5-7 minutes. Add the potatoes and cabbage leaves and simmer for another 8-10 minutes.

Lastly, add the pechay leaves and simmer for another 3 minutes.

Scoop the vegetables out and arrange around the bulalo. Pour in hot broth and serve at once.