One of the best parts of growing up in a Hispanic family has to be the food. Growing up there was nothing better than walking into my house and being welcomed with the wafting aroma of delicious food. In honor of Hispanic heritage month here is a recipe that best represent’s my Cuban culture.
For Cuban families, ropa vieja is about as traditional as it gets. Translated to English, ropa vieja, literally, means old clothes, but do not let the name deter you. The name describes the shredded meat and vegetable combination that resemble strips of clothing. Before starting, the steak, preferably flank steak, must be cooked and shredded. To cook the steak put it in a pot with water and add some smashed garlic and salt to give it flavor. Bring ingredients to a boil then reduce to moderate heat and cook until steak is tender. For convenience, you can prepare the beef the day before and refrigerate it overnight to save time.
Ropa vieja can be served over white rice, with a side of black beans, and fried sweet plantains. So the next time you are looking for something different and delicious to eat, try this recipe. Trust me. I speak from experience when I say you will not regret it.
Ingredients:
• Cooked Beef
• 1 large onion (sliced into thin strips)
• 2 cloves of garlic
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 large green bell pepper (sliced into thin stips)
• 1 eight ounce can of tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro
Preperation:
1. In a large skillet or pot, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until soft, about 1 minute.
2. Reduce the heat to medium heat and add the sliced onion and bell pepper. Cook until vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes.
3. Stir in the tomato sauce, ground cumin, and cilantro
4. Turn the heat to medium high and cook for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
6. Stir in the shredded beef and cook for about 10 minutes until the beef is heated through.
7. Turn of the heat. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Servings:
Serves 4 – 6 people.
