Zarela Martinez's Ropa Vieja
- Total Time
- 2½ hours
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
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Ingredients
- 3pounds flank steak
- 1½cups water
- 8cloves garlic (6 whole and peeled, 2 sliced and peeled)
- 6whole black peppercorns
- Salt to taste
- 8fresh poblano peppers
- ⅓cup lard, bacon drippings or vegetable oil
- 1large onion, halved and sliced ⅛-inch thick
- Flour tortillas
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Preparation
- Step 1
Cut the flank steak in half horizontally so it will fit into a large Dutch oven. Place it in the pot and cover it with the water. Add the six whole cloves of garlic, along with the peppercorns and salt as desired. Place over low heat and bring the liquid to a simmer. Cover the Dutch oven and continue cooking over low heat, turning the meat occasionally, until it is tender and well done, about 1½ to 2 hours.
- Step 2
While the meat is stewing, heat the broiler. Rinse and dry the peppers. Arrange them in a broiler pan about four inches from the flame. Roast them, turning frequently, until they are evenly blistered and charred on all sides. Transfer to a paper bag, seal it and let the peppers sit until cool enough to handle.
- Step 3
Remove the cooled peppers from the bag and slice off the top of each. Scrape out the seeds and slip off the skins with your fingers (wear rubber gloves if your hands are sensitive). Slice each pepper lengthwise into strips an eighth of an inch wide. Set aside.
- Step 4
When the meat is tender, remove the Dutch oven from the heat and let the meat cool in its own broth. When it cools enough to handle, remove it from the broth and place it on a cutting board. Slice the meat across the grain into strips about two inches across. Using your fingers, pull the meat into fine shreds. Return it to the cooking broth.
- Step 5
Heat the lard or other fat in a large heavy skillet over medium heat until it is rippling. Crush the sliced garlic cloves and add to the hot fat. Saute for one minute, stirring frequently. Add the sliced onion and saute, stirring frequently, until it is somewhat soft, about three minutes. Add the reserved pepper strips to the pan and continue sauteing and stirring for about two minutes.
- Step 6
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the peppers, onion and garlic to the Dutch oven. Cook the meat mixture, uncovered, over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the flavors are blended, about 10 to 15 minutes. Serve the meat hot, rolled up in heated flour tortillas.
Private Notes
Comments
You cut the meat across the grain in 2 inch wide pieces, then with your fingers separate the meat into "strings"
It isn’t supposed to be Cuban, as is made clear in the opening paragraph. This is a dish from New Mexico.
Yes, the first cut is across the grain, into two pieces so it will fit into the cooking pan.
We loved this! I used more poblanos, and more water and garlic, which I then reduced. I think that really helped amplify the flavours. Served with lime wedges. We will make again and look forward to it! Enjoy!!
This was pretty tasty but needed additional seasoning. I blended cumin, chili powder, chipotle powder and onion powder, rubbed it on the flank steak, and cooked the flank steak for 4 hours on high in the slow cooker. It could have used more time on low to further tenderize the meat, which was still pretty chewy. The onions and poblanos were excellent with the meat.
This recipe is nice and simple, almost sparse in its simplicity, but for me and my family, it just doesn't have the expected taste of Ropa Vieja, or for that matter much taste at all. Had to add dinner cumin and paprika, which helped, but should have been cooked in.
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