Years ago, I loved to watch a program called "Donna's Day" and she made Ropa Vieja. It sounded absolutely delicious. I thought about it for years, but I never made it. Then Mandy In the Making shared her Crocktober Video with three recipes. One was for Ropa Vieja. She and her family raved over it as they ate. I was determined to make it.
I made Biria Beef last year and it was good...but it had a long list of ingredients and a lot of steps. It's my opinion that this recipe is every bit as good and it's much easier to make.
I did not follow the recipe as Mandy made it. She followed the original author's recipe which sounds awesome. I just didn't have one ingredient and then I started my roast from frozen in the slow cooker rather than thawing and searing as she suggested. I can only imagine the added flavor searing the meat would give. But I'll share how I personally made it because it was so good!
Ropa Vieja
2 pounds Beef Chuck roast
15 ounces tomato sauce
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1 diced, seeded jalapeno (the recipe calls for a 4 ounce can of green chilies but I was out)
1 medium onion, sliced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon vinegar (I used apple cider)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Place roast and all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 6-8 hours. As I said, I started mine from frozen and it cooked up just lovely.
When fully tender, shred the meat and put back into the juices in the pot.
We made Burrito Bowls with a lovely Cuban Black Beans and Rice. I made a corn relish to add to the bowls, too. We topped with shredded cheese and had tortillas on the side. We had some of the beef in tortillas the next day and that was delicious as well. I'd love to try a bit as a quesadilla...
If you think this will be very tomato-y, it's not. I don't know why it's not but it's not. It is just full of flavor and tender.
I had a ton of leftovers which I froze. The recipe said the leftovers would freeze well.
If you're looking for a different spin for your Taco Tuesday, give this recipe a try. It's so good!
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