FOOD NEWS
Ropa Vieja Is The Cuban Dish That Uses Tough Cuts Of Meat
BY JULIA HOLLAND
While tough pieces of meat are often avoided, cultures throughout history have found ways to transform them into delicious dishes, such as Cuba’s national dish, Ropa Vieja.
Meaning "old clothes" in Spanish, Ropa Vieja is a flavorful and hearty meat dish made by slow-cooking a tough cut of beef like chuck or flank steak in a tomato-based liquid.
Combining ingredients like onions, garlic, and tomato sauce with spices such as cumin and paprika creates a delicious braising liquid to soften and flavor the meat.
After slow cooking, the beef is broken down into a saucy, easy-to-eat shredded meat dish that Cubans typically enjoy with white rice, black beans, and fried plantains.