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Shared by Malena Svarch

Ropa Vieja (Beef Braised With Tomatoes and Spices)

Yield: 8 servings

Ropa Vieja (Beef Braised With Tomatoes and Spices)

Yield: 8 servings

Family Journey

Havana, Cuba
New York City

This recipe was shared by Malena Svarch. Read more about her family in "Even 1,300 Miles from Home, A Young Cook Remembers Havana" and try her recipes for tostones and pastelitos (sweet hand pies filled with guava and cheese).

Ingredients

For the meat:

  • 2 pounds flank steak
  • 2 bay leaves
  • ½ yellow onion, peeled and cut in half
  • 4 cups chicken stock 

For the sofrito:

  • ¼ cup of olive oil
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into ¼ inch slices
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, cut into ¼ inch slices
  • 1 ½ yellow onions, sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, sliced
  • 28 oz. can of tomato puree
  • 1 ½ cups white wine
  • 1 teaspoon of cumin
  • ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ⅛  teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf

For the rice:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cups of jasmine rice
  • 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed but left whole
Main CoursesGluten FreeMeat South and Central America

Preparation

  • Step 1

    Place the meat, bay leaves, garlic, onion and chicken stock in a pressure cooker set over high heat. Cook until the meat is tender and easily shreddable, about 35-40 minutes. If you do not have a pressure cooker, place ingredients in an oven-safe pot with a lid and braise at 325°, until meat is tender and shreddable, 2-2 ½ hours. Once meat is braised, shred with a fork.

  • Step 2

    Heat the olive oil in a medium pot over high heat. Add the red and green bell pepper and sauté for 5 minutes to soften. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 3-5 more minutes. Add the tomato puree, wine, cumin, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Cover and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes until the sauce thickens.

  • Step 3

    Add the meat and stir to combine with the sauce. Add the bay leaf. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Taste and adjust for seasoning.

  • Step 4

    Serve immediately with rice (see below), freshly sliced avocado, and tostones.

  • Step 5

    Heat the oil and crushed garlic clove over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Add rice and mix to coat with oil. Add 4 cups of water and ½ teaspoon of salt. Cover and simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes. Turn off heat and let sit for 5 more minutes. Fluff and serve.