Ropa Vieja

cookwithkathy

Aug 2

Ingredients

2 (1-1/2-pound) flank steaks, trimmed of excess fat and cut crosswise into 3 pieces each
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
7 Tbsp canola or vegetable oil
3 large Spanish onions, 1 quartered and 2 thinly sliced
1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and thinly sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, cored, seeded, and thinly sliced
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 bay leaves
1 Tbsp whole black peppercorns
1 tsp ground cumin
1 red bell pepper cored, seeded, and thinly sliced
4 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 Tbsp tomato paste
1 (14-1/2-ounce) can whole tomatoes in juice, crushed with fingers
1/2 cup sliced Spanish olives

Method

Season flank steak with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper.
In a heavy-bottomed 5- to 6-quart pot, heat 2 Tbsp oil over medium-high heat. Add half of sliced steak to pot in a single layer and cook until well browned, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer steak to a plate. Pour off any oil in pot and repeat with 2 Tbsp oil and remaining steak.
In the same pot, heat 1 Tbsp oil over medium-high heat. Add quartered onion, half of green pepper, and half of yellow pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
Add chicken broth, bay leaves, peppercorns, cumin, and 1/2 tsp salt. Add cooked steak and any juices on the plate. The steak should be just covered with broth. Pour in additional broth, if necessary. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, until steak is fork-tender, 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 hours. Remove pot from heat and let steak cool in broth for 30 minutes.
Transfer steak to a plate. Strain cooking liquid through a sieve set over a bowl. Discard solids. Let
liquid stand 5 minutes, then skim off and discard any fat. Set cooking liquid aside. Shred steak.
In the same pot, heat 2 Tbsp oil over medium heat. Add thinly sliced onions, remaining green and yellow peppers, red pepper, garlic, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions and peppers soften, 15 to 20 minutes.
Stir in tomato paste until vegetables are coated. Stir in crushed tomatoes with their juice, 2-1/2cups of the reserved cooking liquid, and 1/4 tsp salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until slightly thickened, about 20 minutes.
Return shredded steak to stew and cook until heated through, stirring occasionally, about 2 minutes. Stir in olives. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary. If not serving immediately, cool, cover, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. flavour will only improve upon standing. Serve with black beans and white rice, boiled potatoes, or fried plantains.

Makes 8 servings.

Source: Chef Andrew Friedman