How to Make Ropa Vieja♪【Cuban Cuisine】

This article introduces how to make Cuba's Ropa Vieja.

For an overview and history of Ropa Vieja, visit the URL below!

How to Make Ropa Vieja

Ingredients (serves 4)

For blanching

• Beef brisket (or chuck roast)…500g
• Water … 1L
• Onion (roughly chopped)…1/2
• Garlic … 2 cloves
• Salt ... 1 teaspoon
• Bay leaf ... 1 leaf

Simmered Sauce

• Olive oil ... 2 tablespoons
• Onion (thinly sliced)…1
• Bell peppers (red and green, thinly sliced)…1 each
• Garlic (minced)…2 cloves
• Canned tomatoes (chopped)…400g
• Tomato paste … 1 tablespoon
• White wine (or water)…100ml
• Cumin powder ... 1 teaspoon
• Paprika powder … 1 teaspoon
• Oregano … 1/2 teaspoon
• Salt and black pepper … to taste

Finishing

• Olives (sliced)…2 tablespoons (to taste)
• Pimentos (pickled red bell peppers)…a little
• Parsley (finely chopped)…to taste
• White rice … for the number of people

How to make them

① Boil the beef until tender

1. Add 1 liter of water and the beef to the pot.
2. Add the onions (roughly chopped), garlic, bay leaves, and salt.
3. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for about 1 hour.
4. Remove the beef once it has become tender.
5. Use a fork to shred it thinly along the grain.

※Reserve about 1 cup of the cooking liquid for later use.

② Make soffritto (sautéed aromatic vegetables)

1. Add olive oil to a frying pan and heat over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and bell pepper and stir-fry for about 5 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and sauté for another 1 minute.
4. Add the cumin, paprika, and oregano, then lightly sauté until fragrant.

③ Make tomato sauce

1. Add canned tomatoes and tomato paste.
2. Add the white wine and stir gently.
3. Add about 100ml of the beef broth.
4. Simmer over medium heat for about 10 minutes.

④ Add the beef and simmer.

1. Add the shredded beef to the frying pan.
2. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.
3. If there isn't enough liquid, add a little of the cooking water.
4. Season with salt and black pepper.

⑤ Finishing

1. Add the olives and pimentos and stir gently.
2. Arrange on a plate and sprinkle with parsley.

It's a staple to eat with plain white rice.

In Cuba

• Black Bean Dishes
• Fried plantains (fried bananas)

and so on are served together.

Cooking Tips

• To achieve an authentic appearance, shred the beef thinly along the grain.
• Simmered dishes are best when just a little moisture remains.
• Leaving it overnight allows the flavors to blend even more.