Ropa Vieja Burgers Recipes

ROPA VIEJA

Steps:

• In a large pot, put the flank steak, garlic, yellow onions, 1 tablespoon of the oregano, salt, peppercorns, bay leaves and 2 ounces each of the red wine and Worcestershire. Add water to cover the ingredients by 2 inches. Bring to a boil, cut back to a simmer and cook for 3 hours, until the flank steak is falling apart.
• Remove the flank steak from the pot, cut into 3-inch sections and set aside. Strain the beef broth and reserve for a later step.
• Wipe out the pot and coat with the olive oil. Add the red onions, white onions, green peppers, red peppers and the remaining tablespoon oregano. Cook over high heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring every couple minutes.
• Add the flank steak back to the pot, along with the tomato sauce, red wine vinegar, reserved beef broth and the remaining red wine and Worcestershire. Bring to a boil, cut back to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes.
• Add the olives, peas and tomatoes to the pot. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving over coconut rice or white rice.

ROPA VIEJA (CUBAN BEEF)

Steps:

• Cut flank steak in half across the grain. Mix salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Season both sides generously with the salt mixture.
• Heat olive oil in a pot over high heat. Add steaks and cook until outsides are well browned, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Remove steaks to a plate.
• Reduce heat to medium. Add red onion, garlic, and more of the salt seasoning. Cook and stir until starting to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in cumin, paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper, cloves, and allspice. Cook and stir for 1 minute. Pour in white wine, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in tomato sauce and chicken broth.
• Return beef and accumulated juices to the pot. Season with salt and add bay leaves. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until beef is almost fork-tender, not falling apart, about 2 hours.
• Remove pot from heat and let stew cool to room temperature, at least 45 minutes. Refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight, for best results.
• Remove beef to a plate and set stew over medium heat. Tear beef along the grain into 1/8- to 1/4-inch-wide shreds; place back in the stew. Add bell peppers, poblanos, smoked paprika, capers, olives, and sugar. Stir together and reduce heat to medium. Simmer until peppers are soft and meat is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Turn off heat, remove bay leaves, and stir in cilantro.

ROPA VIEJA BURGERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
• Add 1 tablespoon of the butter, chopped onions and bell pepper to an 8-quart saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until the tomato paste is toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic and crushed tomatoes and stir well. Add the hot sauce, lemon juice and seafood boil seasoning. Cook until the vegetables are tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Scoop up the onions and bell peppers with a slotted spoon and keep warm. Let the sauce cool.
• Meanwhile, heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Season the beef with salt and pepper. Divide into 4 equal patties and transfer to the skillet. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and flip the patties. Top each patty with 2 slices of cheese and bake just until the cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat a cast-iron griddle over medium heat until hot. Gently toast the buns split-sides down just until they brown slightly, 1 to 2 minutes. Set aside.
• Combine the mayonnaise and up to 2 tablespoons of the cooled sauce in a small bowl and stir well. Slather 1/2 tablespoon on each of the split sides of the buns.
• Spoon the onion and peppers onto the bottom buns then top each with a burger patty.
• Top each burger with 1 tablespoon of the fried onions. Close the burgers and serve hot.