Any's Ropa Vieja

*According to Any, "ropa vieja" is the name for this dish in Havana, Cuba and it means "old clothes". In other parts of Cuba or Columbia it is called by a name that means "shredded meat" or "pulled apart meat".

SERVES: 4

INGREDIENTS:
1-2 lb. flank steak
1 onion, julienne cut
1 green bell pepper, julienne cut
1 Tbsp. salt
2 cloves garlic, pressed
dash of cumin
4 Tbsp. olive oil
2 large ripe tomatoes, finely chopped
4 Tbsp. Sofrito (found in a jar in the "Goya" or international section of the grocery store)
1 Tbsp. Bijol (found in a small seasoning container in the "Goya" or international section of the grocery store)
salt & pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:
Put flank steak in a large pot. Add half of the onion, half of the green pepper, 1 Tbsp. salt, garlic, and the cumin. Cover with water and boil flank steak for 3-4 hours or until it is very tender.

Remove the flank steak form the broth and finely shred it into a container. Pour the broth into a container on the side and save. In the same pot, add the olive oil, the other half of the green peppers and onions, tomatoes, sofrito, bijol, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir-fry on medium-high for 3 minutes, then stir in the meat in portions. Add 2-3 cups of the beef broth with onion, green pepper, and garlic. Let simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes at medium-low heat until most of the water is absorbed. Let sit for about 10 minutes before serving.

Serve over cooked rice with lentil stew.