“Kelaguen,” a Chamorro word for a dish that is cooked with citrus juice, is a staple on any celebration menu, almost always found among the cold items or salads.
Beef kelaguen is most often made with lean or trimmed cuts such as flank steak, top round steaks or trimmed sirloin. Cooks will often take the time to remove fat and gristle, for beef kelaguen is best when the soft, luxurious meat melts on the tongue. Extra-thin slices made across the meat grain also contribute to its success.
The wafer-thin beef slices are instead cooked by the acid found in citrus fruits such as lemons and limes as well as local favorites lemonchina and calamansi. Lemon powder mixes are effective acid cookers as well.
Try your hand based on the recipe below:
Basic beef kelaguen
1 pound flank steak, trimmed, thinly sliced against the grain
1/4 cup red onion, thin sliced
1/4 cup green onion, chopped
Juice of 3 lemons, or more to taste
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon black pepper
4 boonie peppers, chopped, or to taste
Add all ingredients except the salt to a non-reactive bowl and mix thoroughly. Add salt 1/2 teaspoon at a time, mixing and tasting after each addition.
Chill, covered for at least three hours or best, overnight. Serve cold with hot rice or tortillas.
COMMONLY USED CHAMORRO WORDS When you arrive on Guam, many will greet you with a warm Hafa Adai (hå-FUH day), which means hello. Here are some common words, phrases and expressions, along with pronunciation tips for common Chamorro words. Remember, Chamorro’s pride ourselves on our hospitality, so don't be afraid to ask for help or guidance.
NAMES, PEOPLE che'lu - gender-neutral term used for brother, sister or sibling-like friend nene - baby; also a term of endearment nina / ninu – godmother / godfather
FOOD boñelos - donuts donne' - hot peppers (chiles) pika - hot (spicy) manok - chicken
COMMON PHRASES maila ta fan boka - come and eat maila halom - literally, come inside. Colloquially used to welcome someone. mauleg'ka? - Are you good? Or how are you? si Yu'us ma'ase' - thank you, pronounced see-ju-oos-ma-AH-see