Bistek

1. Marinate the beef in the soy sauce, lemon (or calamansi) and ground black pepper for at least 1 hour, or overnight for the best result.
2. Heat the oil in a pan and pan-fry half of the onions until soft, then set aside.
3. Drain the marinade from the beef and keep it. Pan-fry the beef in the same pan for 1 minute per side, then remove and set aside.
4. Add a little more oil if needed and sauté the garlic and remaining raw onions until the onion softens.
5. Pour in the reserved marinade and the water and bring to the boil.
6. Return the beef, cover, and simmer until tender, topping up with water as needed.
7. Season with ground black pepper and salt, top with the pan-fried onions, and serve hot.

Tips from the ZestyPlate Kitchen

• Give the beef a good long marinade, overnight if you can manage it, for the deepest soy and citrus flavour.
• Sear the beef fast, then drop the heat and let it simmer gently; rushing it just makes the meat tough.
• Fry a separate batch of onions and keep them soft and sweet to pile over the top right before serving.
• Calamansi is the traditional citrus, but lemon or lime gives you that same bright, tangy note.