Ropa Vieja (means “old clothes”)
The legend of this Cuban dish begins with a poor man who was expecting his family home for dinner. He was said to have prepared their dinner with shredded clothes after imparting his love on to them, as he did not have money to buy the ingredients required. Because of his love for his family, the shredded clothes dish turned into the delicious beef stew that is popular today.
This recipe was adapted by Nikki Suarez, a Kentucky girl married to a Cuban for over 20 years.
Ingredients: 2 ½ lb flank steak
2 Tlbs fresh minced garlic
Adobo all purpose seasoning
1 onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 packets Sazon seasoning
1 large can tomato sauce
6 oz jar prepared sofrito
salt & pepper to taste
olive oil
In hot pan sear steak on both sides in 2 Tlbs olive oil and 1 Tlbs minced garlic. Sprinkle both sides with Adobo seasoning. Remove and slice into strips.
In large pot, sauté onion and pepper. Once onions are translucent add 1 Tlbs minced garlic. Saute 2 minutes, then add tomato sauce, sofrito and Sazon packets. Stir meat in, making sure there is enough liquid to simmer. Simmer 1 ½ hours. Add water if not enough liquid, and extra Sazon if water is needed. Shred with 2 forks and serve with rice.