Home Cooks Online

A Cuban dish of Flank Steak and Peppers, topped with a fruity mango salsa, by contributor, Robin Daumit.

Ropa Vieja with Mango Salsa. Photo: R. DaumitThis recipe is a great example of why I like having company in the kitchen.  After a while, all home cooks could use a boost in the creativity department.  Food ruts abound, and that’s when you need a trusted friend, neighbor or sister to pull you out of your food funk.  A bit of Cuban steak is just what the doctor ordered for this home cook who’s stuck in the snow.  Thanks, Robin!

From Robin:  “A classic Cuban dish that transports you to palm trees swaying in the sun, spicy smells coming from a Latin kitchen, and a good glass of rum on the side.

“Ropa Vieja translates as ‘old clothes’ and is so named because of the way it looks cooking in the pot. But the flavors in this dish will create lasting memories that have nothing to do with old clothes.

“This dish is traditionally served with black beans and white rice. A mango salsa on the side is a wonderfully fresh complement to the warm flavors in the meal.”

Ropa Vieja Recipe
Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 2 lb cut of Flank Steak, cut with the grain into strips
• 1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic pressed
• 2 large onions chopped into small pieces
• 4 green peppers, cored/seeded and chopped into small pieces
• 2 jalapeno peppers, cored/seeded and chopped into small pieces
• 1 pint of grape tomatoes sliced into quarters
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 teaspoons crushed cumin
• 1 tablespoon crushed oregano
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 jar of tomato sauce
• 3/4 cup of dry Vermouth

Directions:

1. Have these ingredients chopped and ready to cook at once. Place oil in a heated pot on high, add all ingredients but tomato sauce and vermouth and stir to give everything time at the bottom of the pot until the meat has been seared.
2. Add tomato sauce and vermouth.
3. Stir, bring to a simmer, cover and cook for at least 1 hour, though 2 hours is best. Remove the lid the last 30 minutes of cooking.
4. Serve with Mango Salsa

Mango Salsa RecipeMango Salsa. Photo: R. Daumit

Ingredients:

• 3 mangos, diced
• 1 large red onion, diced
• 1 cucumber, peeled seeded and diced
• 1 jalapeno, cored seeded and diced
• 1 red pepper, cored seeded and diced
• handful of cilantro, washed and chopped fine
• 1 lime, juiced
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Chop all ingredients into small pieces about the same size.
2. Squeeze in the lime, salt and pepper and toss well to blend.
3. Best if prepared an hour before eating to marinate the flavors.