Ropa Vieja

This is a very traditional Cuban stew – the name, which means 'old clothes', refers to the fact that the meat is cooked so well it can be shredded. It's a great dish to cook in the slow cooker, although I am sure it would be equally successful to make on the stove top – you just need to adjust the timings accordingly. 

 

Serves 4

Syn Free on Extra Easy

Small beef roasting joint

1 red onion, chopped

1 red pepper, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

4 garlic cloves, crushed

salt and pepper

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp ground cumin

½ tsp dried rosemary, crushed

6 tbsp sherry vinegar

3 cups stock

200 ml passata

Remove all the fat from the beef and cut into 3 or 4 large chunks. Place in the slow cooker with the stock and cook for 7-8 hours on a low setting. About half way through, add all the other ingredients, except the passata. Once the beef is cooked, shred with two forks and add back into the stew with the passata. Stir well, make sure it all hot and serve. It's that simple.

Traditionally served with rice, as my dad doesn't eat rice, I made some mash from potatoes and sweet potatoes to go with it, on the advice of a very dear Cuban friend.