Ropa Vieja

A traditional beef stew from Cuba made with shredded beef that is often served with black beans and rice. Translated, ropa vieja means "old clothes" that refers to the shredded aspect of the beef in a ropa vieja recipe. The cut of beef for this stew is typically flank steak that is initially browned over high heat and then simmered in a dish containing olive oil, water, salt, and pepper. A sauce is then prepared using onions, peppers, tomatoes, garlic, and other spices that are cooked in olive oil with the broth used to cook the meat, allowing the mixture to thicken together. The meat is shredded, added to the sauce, and simmered slowly at a low temperature prior to serving.