“See that’s what people don’t get about food. It’s never the food, it’s the love that goes into making it. That’s what’s important.”- Sarah Strohmeyer, Sweet Love
I cook for a living. As simple as that – that’s what I do; cook.
I’ve never attended a specialized school, although that is on my list of things to do. I make many different dishes & desserts. Even if I don’t know what I am making, I am making it. And it will be GOOD. Not because I am following a recipe… but because it’s made from the heart.
I pour my heart out in the kitchen daily. And believe it or not, you can taste the difference. I make many dishes that others do. And I always get the same response – why does yours taste so “different”. I could say I use different spices (which, I probably do), but in my heart, I know the truth. There is nothing better than cooking with true love.
That was my introduction for this post.
Today’s recipe goes out to every woman out there who wants to make a lasting impression on their someone special. First step, is capturing their attention – and that’s on you.
I can’t help you with that. But, I can help you to keep his attention and peek his curiosity to know more about you. The formula is simple: anytime we put extra effort into something, the reward is always greater. So, ladies, let’s show them the fruits of your hands & heart working together. I am sharing one of my favorite Cuban dishes of all time. So simple, so delicious, and most definitely an attention grabber. A beautiful looking (and tasting!) dish to serve on your table. And it even makes for fabulous leftovers in the morning, over some eggs. Again – that part is on you.
ROPA VIEJA
(literally translated in English as “old clothes” because of the appearance of the shredded beef)
Ingredients:
Flank Steak
Worcestershire sauce
Garlic cloves
Sea salt
Fresh ground black pepper
Cumin
1 (maybe 2) bottles of beer
Red/Yellow/Orange sweet peppers
Purple onion
1 bunch of cilantro
Olive oil
Tomato paste
Procedure:
1. This is *the most important step in this entire process, so please be sure NOT to miss it. Before starting this dish, take a deeeeep breath, close your eyes and invoke all the love you have in you to come through your fingertips. Let everything you touch in the kitchen be filled with love. Laugh if you wish, but if you don’t do this…I can almost guarantee it won’t have the effect you want it to have.
2. Marinate the steak: In a deep dish – rub sea salt, black pepper, cumin (to taste, this is a very strong spice) and ground garlic cloves (about 5) all over the flank steak, front and back. Then, pour in half a cup of worcestershire sauce and the can of beer over it. Make sure it is covered on both sides. You might want to add another can of beer to the mix, if it is not covererd completely. Let this sit in the fridge overnight for best results.
3. In a large pot, transfer the steak over along with the juices left over from the marinate. Cover the steak with enough water and boil for a good 3 hours. If you have a a pressure cooker, you can also put in there and pressure cook it. Open the pressure cooker 30-40 minutes in to make sure the steak is soft and it can “peel” into layers.
4. Once you’ve boiled it for the given time, take it out of the pot, and with two forks, separate the beef, “peeling” it or should i say, shredding it. It should be very easy to do at this point, since it is so soft and tender. Save the liquid for later.
5. Start cutting the garlic, peppers and the onions, you will be using them next.
6. In a large frying pan, add half a cup of olive oil & 6 cloves of ground garlic. Once the garlic gets a golden color (about a minute, on medium heat), add the shredded beef.
7. Once you add the beef, turn the heat to medium – low and add two tablespoons of tomato paste. Let it sit, and stir the pot around a few times until you see the paste dissolved into the mix.
8. Let that simmer and cook for about 15 minutes, then add about one cup of the left over liquid you used to boil the beef. Let sit and simmer for another 10 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste.
9. Last, add the cut peppers, onions & cilantro. You don’t want this to be soggy so, make sure you add this last, and leave it to simmer for another 5 minutes max.
10. Spread over brown rice (or the rice of your choosing), serve with your favorite red wine and watch them… Fall. In. Love. (with you and the dish)
