Cooking Beef Tapa and assembling a Tapsilog meal is a delightful way to bring a taste of Filipino cuisine into your home. Tapa refers to cured meat, traditionally served for breakfast along with garlic fried rice (sinangag) and fried egg, collectively known as Tapsilog – a portmanteau of “Tapa,” “Sinangag,” and “Itlog” (egg). Here’s a simplified guide to creating this savory, satisfying dish from scratch, ensuring you can enjoy a piece of Filipino culinary tradition wherever you are.
Beef Tapa Recipe
Ingredients:
- 300g beef sirloin, thinly sliced for quick cooking
- 2 tablespoons vinegar, for tenderizing and flavoring the meat
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce, adding a rich, umami taste
- 1 head garlic, minced, for that aromatic kick
- Salt and pepper, adjusted to taste
- Cooking oil, for frying
Instructions:
- Marinate the Beef: In a bowl, combine the thinly sliced beef sirloin with vinegar, soy sauce, and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well to ensure each piece of beef is coated in the marinade. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes, or for best results, overnight in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat deeply.
- Prepare for Cooking: When ready to cook, remove the marinated beef from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 15 minutes. This step ensures even cooking.
- Cook the Tapa: Heat a skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of cooking oil. Once hot, add the marinated beef slices in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook each side for about 2 to 3 minutes or until the edges start to caramelize. The goal is to achieve a slight sear on the beef while keeping it tender and juicy.
- Serve: Once cooked, transfer the beef tapa to a serving plate. It can be enjoyed as is or paired with a side of your choice.
Tapsilog Assembly (Optional)
To create a complete Tapsilog experience:
- Cooked Rice: Preferably garlic fried rice (sinangag). To make, fry minced garlic in a bit of oil until golden, add day-old rice, and season with salt. Cook until the rice is heated through and slightly crispy.
- Fried Eggs: Cook eggs according to your preference, but traditionally, they are fried sunny-side up.
To Serve:
On a plate, serve a generous portion of garlic fried rice, a few slices of the beef tapa, and a fried egg on top. This combination of savory beef, fragrant rice, and creamy egg yolk creates a mouthwatering meal perfect for any time of day.
Enjoy your homemade Beef Tapa and Tapsilog, a hearty meal that brings the essence of Filipino breakfast to your table, filled with flavors that are sure to delight and satisfy.
