Ten -Inch Inside Out Star

 

The name of this dish translates as “old clothes,” because the shredded beef looks ragged. I’m told the cilantro and jalapeño make this recipe more like Mexican food than Cuban. Maybe half a cup of red wine would be more appropriate.

 Ropa Vieja

 2 pounds flank steak, cut into quarters

 Kosher salt

 Fresh ground black pepper

 28 ounces canned diced tomatoes

 1/2 cup water

 2 bell peppers, thinly sliced

 1 medium onion, thinly sliced

 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

 1 jalapeño, seeded and thinly sliced (optional)

 1/2 teaspoon oregano

 1/2 teaspoon cumin

 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro (optional)

 1 bay leaf

 1/2 cup pitted green olives

 2 tablespoons capers, drained

 Season beef with salt and pepper. Combine remaining ingredients except olives and capers in slow cooker, add beef. Cover and cook 5 hours. Remove bay leaf. Remove beef and shred with two forks; return to slow cooker. Stir in olives and capers. Serve with white rice or warm tortillas.