Cuban Beef Soup, White Rice with Ropa Vieja (Shreaded Beef)

Ingredients for the soup:

1 1/2 pounds of flank steak

4 medium size potatoes (whichever type you prefer)

2 to 3 malanga roots (1 to 1/2 pounds)

2 medium size green plantains

1 pound of pumpkin squash

1 pound of ñame

1 pound of Yuca (yucca root) fresh or frozen

1 medium size yellow or white onion 

1/4 cup of chopped green onions

1/4 cup of chopped cilantro

2 cloves of garlic

2 bay leaves

1/2 cup of tomato sauce

1 tsp of dried oregano

Salt and pepper to your taste

I also add a 1/4 cup of mojo criollo (spanish marinade if available in your area)

1/2 cup of angel hair noodles, you can add more if you want

1/2 a green bell pepper

This is a very traditional Cuban dinner dish. Soups are normally consumed for dinner rather than lunch. This dish consists of a very hearty soup with all the root vegetables traditional in Cuban cuisine and green plantains and pumpkin squash

To make the soup I first select a nice piece of flank stake, maybe about 1 1/2 pounds. I place it in a pressure cooker with about 4 cups of water and cook it for about 35 minutes on high. The I check if it is tender enough to shread. Once all the vegetables are pealed and cut in chunks, I place them in a stock pot, add the beef stock that resulted from cooking the flank meat and add sufficient water to cover the vegetables. Leave the beef on a plate and allow it to cool.

Boil the vegetable until they are soft. Now it is time to make the seasoning (sofrito) for the soup. Chop the onion, garlic green onions and cilantro and green pepper ( I like to leave the green pepper whole, so I can take it out when the soup is ready, I don't like to eat the green pepper but it definitely adds flavor to the soup). In a pan with about 1 tbsp of cooking oil saute these ingredients for about two minutes on high, stirring continuously, then add the 1/2 cup of tomato sauce and mojo criollo (if available), the oregano and pepper. I usually leave the salt for last and add it gradually until I feel it has enough. Simmer on medium for about four minutes and add the whole mixture to the boiling veggies. Add the angel hair noodles and lower the heat to medium  and cook until all the vegetables are tender. Serve Hot and enjoy!

Ingredients of the Ropa Vieja (Shreaded Flank Steak)
1 1/2 pounds of hand shredded flank steak
1 large red onion
1/4 cup of tomato sauce
1/2 tsp of oregano
1/2 tsp of black pepper
1/4 cup of dry white seasoned cooking wine
salt to your taste

Directions

Cut the onions in slices and saute until soft and a bit translucent, add the beef (which is already cooked) and mix well with the onions. Saute both on high, for about 3 minutes, then ad the tomato sauce, cooking wine, pepper, oregano and salt to your taste. Reduce the heat to medium, and simmer for about 5 to 7 minutes, don't allow all the liquid to be boiled away. Serve with white rice and salad and accompany with a hearty bowl of soup.