Ropa Vieja...Old Clothes

Sitting in bed at 10pm watching Food Network is never good.  I try to make a habit of only watching it early in the day because it makes me want to eat...and cook!  Last night we came across an episode that featured Cuban cuisine and I was inspired.  Like I thought about it all day.  Like I went out of my way to go the meat market just to get flank steak.  Then went to the grocery store for the rest of the ingredients.  I just HAD to make this tonight.  And I might add...turned out fantastic.  This recipe is easily a Paleo recipe without the rice and beans as well!!

Ingredients

2 Tbsp vegetable oil

2lbs flank steak

Salt & Pepper

Garlic powder

2 Tbsp butter

2 onions, roughly chopped

1 green pepper, roughly chopped

3 Tbsp chopped garlic

1 cup beef broth

1 cup diced tomatoes

1 cup tomato paste

3 tsp cumin

1 tsp white vinegar (or white wine)

Salt & Pepper, to taste

3 Tbsp Cilantro, roughly chopped

Add vegetable oil to large pan or dutch oven.  Season flank steak with salt, pepper and garlic powder...generously.  I cut my flank steak in half, as it would not fit in my dutch oven in one piece.

Drop flank steak into oiled pan and let cook for at least 4 minutes on each side.  Remove flank steak and set aside.  Add butter, onions and green peppers and saute.

Let vegetables cook down for about 5 minutes and add garlic.  After 2 more minutes, add beef broth and stir well.  Next add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, seasonings, vinegar and cilantro.

Add meat back into vegetables and let stew on low for at least 3 hours.  Stir every 30 minutes.

  Serve with white rice and black beans.  This is delicious!!!

ENJOY!!!!!

P.S. Ropa Vieja means old clothes in spanish.  And I said it to my husband about a hundred times today.  In a thick-overly-done accent!