Ropa Vieja with Sweet Plantains

Ingredients

• For the Ropa Vieja:
• 1 ½ lbs flank steak, cut into large chunks 🥩
• 1 tbsp olive oil 🫒
• 0.5 onion, sliced 🧅
• 0.5 red bell pepper, sliced 🌶️
• 0.5 green bell pepper, sliced 🌶️
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
• 1 tsp cumin
• 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
• 0.5 tsp oregano 🌿
• 0.5 tsp salt 🧂
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup tomato sauce 🍅
• 1 tbsp tomato paste 🍅
• 1 cup beef broth 🍲
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar 🍷
• 0.5 cup pimiento-stuffed green olives, sliced 🫒
• 1 bay leaf 🌿
• For the Sweet Plantains:
• 2 ripe plantains, peeled and sliced diagonally 🍌
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil 🛢️
• 0.5 tsp cinnamon (optional for extra sweetness) ✨
• For Serving:
• Steamed white rice 🍚
• Fresh cilantro, chopped 🌿

Instructions

1. 1Cook the Ropa Vieja
2. 21️⃣ Sear the Beef – Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sear the beef chunks for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside. 🥩🔥
3. 32️⃣ Sauté the Aromatics – In the same pot, sauté onions, bell peppers, and garlic until fragrant, about 3 minutes. 🧄🌿🔥
4. 43️⃣ Simmer the Stew – Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Add tomato paste, tomato sauce, beef broth, vinegar, olives, and bay leaf. Return the beef to the pot, cover, and simmer on low heat for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. 🍅🔥
5. 54️⃣ Shred the Beef – Once the beef is fork-tender, shred it using two forks and stir it back into the sauce. Let simmer for 10 more minutes. 🥩✨
6. 6Prepare the Sweet Plantains
7. 75️⃣ Heat the Oil – In a pan, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. 🍌🔥
8. 86️⃣ Fry the Plantains – Add plantain slices and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and caramelized. Sprinkle with cinnamon if desired. ✨🔥
9. 9Serve & Enjoy
10. 107️⃣ Plate the ropa vieja over steamed rice, topped with fresh cilantro. Serve with sweet plantains on the side for the perfect balance of flavors! 🍚🌿🍌