Ropa Vieja with Arroz con Gandules

Ingredients

• For the Ropa Vieja:
• 1 ½ lbs flank steak or chuck roast 🥩
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 0.5 small onion, sliced
• 0.5 green bell pepper, sliced 🌶️
• 0.5 red bell pepper, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp sofrito (Puerto Rican seasoning base)
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp ground cumin
• 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
• 0.5 tsp oregano
• 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 cup crushed tomatoes 🍅
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 bay leaf
• 0.25 cup green olives, sliced 🫒
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 🌿
• For the Arroz con Gandules:
• 1 cup long-grain white rice 🍚
• 2 tbsp sofrito
• 0.5 small onion, diced
• 0.5 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 ½ cups chicken broth
• 0.5 cup canned pigeon peas (gandules), drained
• 1 tbsp tomato sauce 🍅
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. 11️⃣ Sear & Cook the Beef
2. 2Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
3. 3Brown the steak on both sides for 5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
4. 42️⃣ Build the Flavor Base
5. 5In the same pot, sauté onions, bell peppers, and garlic for 3 minutes.
6. 6Stir in sofrito, salt, black pepper, cumin, paprika, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute.
7. 7Add crushed tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and bay leaf.
8. 83️⃣ Simmer Until Tender
9. 9Return the beef to the pot, cover, and simmer over low heat for 2 hours, or until fork-tender.
10. 10Once cooked, shred the beef using two forks and stir in green olives and fresh cilantro.
11. 114️⃣ Cook the Arroz con Gandules
12. 12In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
13. 13Sauté sofrito, onions, bell peppers, and garlic for 2 minutes.
14. 14Stir in salt, black pepper, cumin, and smoked paprika.
15. 15Add rice, chicken broth, pigeon peas, and tomato sauce. Stir well.
16. 16Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until rice is tender.
17. 175️⃣ Serve & Enjoy!
18. 18Plate the ropa vieja over the arroz con gandules.
19. 19Garnish with fresh cilantro and enjoy this bold and flavorful meal!