Like everyone else, Filipinos love stew! There are lots of stew varieties in the Philippines, which are mostly soy sauce or tomato sauce based. My parents prepare the best stew so I grew up loving all kinds of it...but I must admit that tomato-based ones appeal to me more. Among the tomato-based stews, there are three dishes which I was really fond of eating when I was little. Well, actually, until now. :) These are the Afritada, Caldereta (Kaldereta) and Menudo...
These three dishes have almost the same ingredients but they differ in the meat used. Originally, Afritada is cooked with chicken while Caldereta (Kaldereta) is cooked using beef or goat, and Menudo is cooked with pork. In all three dishes, meat is stewed in tomato sauce with vegetables like carrots, potatoes and bell pepper. I tell you, they are all so good. I guess that is why all of them have evolved into many variations which differ from region to region and even from family to family. Some use beef, chicken and pork interchangeably in these dishes. I remember that when I was little, I would often get confused with what dish I am eating whenever we're attending fiestas, weddings or other parties. When I see a tomato-based pork stew, I would often ask my mom/dad if it's afritada, caldereta or menudo. My parents said it would be simple to distinguish the three dishes from each other if the the person who cooked the dish sliced the meat properly. My dad said that meat in Afritada and Caldereta is supposed to be cubed, about 1"x1" for Afritada and about 1.5"x1.5" for Caldereta..and for Menudo, meat should be cut into thin slices about 0.75"x2" in size. My parents said that the way the meat is sliced will help differentiate the three dishes from each other even if the same meat is used...and I totally agree with them. I know that many cooks slice the meat differently, but from where I grew up, that's how it is...cube for afritada and caldereta and thin strips for menudo.
Today, I'm sharing with you my version of Filipino Menudo. By looking at the photo below, I'm sure you'll notice that this looks a little different from the other menudo you've seen on the web...
Today, I'm sharing with you my version of Filipino Menudo. By looking at the photo below, I'm sure you'll notice that this looks a little different from the other menudo you've seen on the web...
