Carne Desmechada o Ropa Vieja Recipe (Shredded Beef)

Cooking flank Steak this way is ideal when you want to prepare a dish ahead of time. Carne Desmechada or Ropa Vieja is another popular recipe in Colombia and Latin America.

📝 Ingredients

• 2 pounds flank steak
• 9 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1 teaspoon tomato paste
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup chopped scallions
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
• 2 cups diced tomato

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1In a pot, place the flank steak, water, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat for about 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the meat is cooked.
2. 2Mean while to make the hogao: Heat the oil in a saucepan, add the tomatoes, scallions, garlic, ground cumin and cook gently for 10 minutes, stirring until softened.
3. 3Reduce the heat to low, add the salt and , cook for 10 minutes more, stirring occasionally until the sauce has thickened. Check and adjust the seasoning.
4. 4Measure 1 cup of the liquid used to cook the meat. Set aside.
5. 5Remove the beef from the pot, let it cool and shred with a fork or your hands.
6. 6In a saucepan, place the shredded beef, hogao, tomato paste and 1 cup of beef liquid. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. 7Serve hot over white rice or arepa.