Mariposa's Beef Caldereta

Happy new year everyone!

Finally I found the time to post something here. I'm going to share my own version of the popular beef caldereta. I say simple because the end in mind for this recipe is to use ingredients that are readily available in our kitchen. So no need to make that extra trip to the market!

I did this last new year's eve since the IT Guy wanted some beef. I also made this one a little spicy as requested by the IT Guy. He said it's nice to have something spicy at the start of the year, oh well!

Here are the ingredients:

1- 1 1/2 kilo beef chunks

1-2 pack tomato sauce

2-3 whole red bell pepper (this can be done julienne style or just slice it to square shape)

3 whole onions, chopped

7 big cloves of garlic, minced
3 pcs. long hot pepper, chopped (this is optional, the locals call it siling espada)

1 tbsp sugar (dissolved in 1/4 cup hot water)

2 big potatoes, diced

2 big carrots, diced
1 can pineapple sliced (cut them into same sizes)
2 pcs banana (cut into about the same size of the carrots and potatoes)

Preparation

Marinade beef with soy sauce and white pepper for an hour.

In a pot, sautee garlic, chopped onions, bell peppers.
Add in the beef. 
Add in the long chili pepper.

Add hot water. Season with salt. Let it boil for 30 minutes until meat is tender. (Alternatively, you can put beef in a pressure cooker, add water and salt and cook until tender.  Remove beef, set aside then you can set aside beef broth for later use. Then start with #2, and follow the same order except you do not have to boil it with hot water anymore.)
Add in the carrots, potatoes, and banana.
Cook until the sauteed mixture mixes with the beef.
Add in the tomato sauce and sugar.

Add in a cup or two of beef stock. (Or hot water.)

Bring to a simmer.
Add in the pineapple. 
Season to taste.

Simmer for around 15 to 20 minutes.
Serve with steamed rice.

That's it! A quick and easy recipe. You now have a beef caldereta  à la Mariposa! ;)