Season 11 - Dinner / S11D15
Carne Mechada with Tostones
Story
In the heart of a Sunday afternoon, Don Luis was slow-cooking a piece of beef so tender it practically whispered when the fork came close. The windows were open, the breeze danced in, and Luna the pup sat by the door, nose in the air, tail wagging to the beat of salsa music on the radio. 🎶🐶 As the savory aroma of Carne Mechada filled the house, Don Luis decided it needed a crispy companion. “Tostones,” he said with a wink. “Crispy little plantain moons to scoop up all that juicy goodness.” The combo was born—a celebration of flavors and crunch that made even the neighbors sneak a peek through the fence. 🌿👀 Time, Calories & Cost
Ingredients
- For the Carne Mechada:
- 2 lbs flank steak (or skirt steak)
- 1 white onion, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup beef broth or water
- For the Tostones:
- 3 green plantains
- Salt to taste
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- 1Carne Mechada:
- 2🫒 In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Brown the flank steak on both sides (about 4–5 min each). Remove and set aside.
- 3🧅 In the same pot, sauté onions, peppers, and garlic until fragrant and soft.
- 4🍅 Add crushed tomatoes, beef broth, oregano, and cumin. Stir well.
- 5🥩 Return the beef to the pot. Cover and simmer on low for 2.5 hours until fork-tender.
- 6🔱 Shred the beef with two forks directly in the sauce. Simmer 10 more minutes to soak up all the flavor.
- 7Tostones:
- 8🍌 Peel and slice plantains into 1-inch chunks.
- 9🛢️ Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high. Fry slices for 2–3 minutes per side. Remove and drain.
- 10🪵 Flatten each piece with a tostonera or the bottom of a cup.
- 11🛢️ Return to the oil and fry again until golden and crispy. Salt while hot.
About the narrator
Don Luis · A character for three generations
Don Luis is the brand character and narrator for this catalog: a warm voice for Puerto Rican family recipes tested by the real creator behind the brand. The project carries three generations of flavor and writes each recipe step by step so any kid can follow it.
Read our mission →