Ropa Vieja “Old Clothes”

(from anacaeca’s recipe box)

Made this for Jen and she loved it, has been asking for the recipe to be posted here. Of course, I lost it and it’s taken me 3 months to find it online again. So, saved here for all time…Ropa Vieja. Carribean/Cuban Beef Stew in the Crockpot. So named because when done right, the meat should ‘fray’ the way old clothes do in the wash.

Source: CDKitchen.com Recipe ID: 55942 (from RecipeThing user cckelly)

Prep time: 20 minutes
Serves 6 people

Ingredients

  • 1 large onion, sliced into rings
  • 1 large green bell pepper, seeded & thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/2 tablespoon ground cumin (more to taste)
  • 1 can (32 ounce size) crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
  • 2 dashes hot pepper sauce, or to taste
  • 2 pounds of skirt or flank steak
  • 1 cup reduced sodium vegetable or beef broth
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1/3 cup green olives for garnish (optional)

Directions

  1. Combine the onion, bell pepper, garlic, vinegar, worcestershire, bay leaves, cumin, crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper and hot sauce in a bowl. Toss to coat well.

  2. Transfer half of the mixture into the bottom of a crock pot. Place the steak on top; spoon the remaining mixture over the steak. Pour the broth around the steak. Tuck in the bay leaves.

  3. Cover and cook until the steak is fork-tender: 5-6 hours on high, or 8-10 hours on low.

  4. Transfer the meat to a cutting board and allow to cool. Remove & discard the bay leaves. Shred the steak into small pieces and return it to the crockpot. Garnish with cilantro and green olives, if desired.

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