Ropa Vieja is one of Cuba’s national dishes. Its main ingredients are beef and tomatoes, which makes it a perfect meal.
Ingredients:
– 1 kg beef chuck or flank
– 1 yellow onion
– 1 green bell pepper
– 1 yellow bell pepper
– 1 red bell pepper
– 4 cloves garlic
– 2 tsp dried oregano
– 2 tsp ground cumin
– 2 tsp sweet paprika
– 1 tsp smoked paprika
– 1/8 tsp ground allspice
– 1/8 tsp ground cloves
– 2 tsp salt
– 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
– 1/2 cup dry white wine
– 1 cup chicken broth
– 1 can crushed tomatoes
– 1 can tomato paste
– 2 bay leaves
– 1 large carrot
– 1 stalk celery
– 1 cup green olives
– 1/2 cup roasted red peppers
– 1/4 cup pimientos
– 2 tbsp capers
– 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
Cooking Instructions:
1. Pat the beef dry and sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
2. Brown the beef in a Dutch oven on all sides, then transfer to a plate.
3. Add the sliced vegetables to a Dutch oven and cook for 15-20 minutes until caramelized.
4. Add minced garlic and spices. Cook for another minute.
5. Add the white wine and bring it to a simmer and deglaze the pan.
6. Add the broth, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste and bay leaves. Simmer for 5 minutes.
7. Add the beef, pieces of carrots and celery to a Dutch oven. Simmer for 3-4 hours covered.
8. Discard the celery, carrots and bay leaves.
9. Transfer the beef to a plate and shred it.
10. Add the olives, roasted red peppers, capers and pimientos.
11. Simmer uncovered to thicken the sauce for 30 minutes.
12. Add the parsley.
13. Season to taste.