Vaca Frita
aca frita is a traditional Cuban dish made with simmered meat that is then fried until crispy and golden.
- Prep time
- 20 min
- Cook time
- 1 hr 40 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 2 lb beef flank ((or veal flank))
- 1¼ cup beef broth
- 3 onions (, julienned)
- 2 small green bell peppers (, julienned)
- 1 lime (, juiced)
- 6 cloves garlic (, crushed)
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon parsley (, finely chopped)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt
- Black pepper (, freshly ground)
- 1 lime (, quartered)
Instructions
- 1
Place the meat in a large saucepan over medium to high heat, and cover with the broth.
- 2
Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat.
- 3
Add the oregano, cumin, bay leaf, a pinch of salt and a pressed garlic clove, and cook for about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- 4
When the meat is cooked, turn off the heat, remove it from the saucepan, drain it and let it cool to room temperature.
- 5
Once it has cooled a little, with a fork or by hand, shred the meat, getting rid of any skin and / or ligaments.
- 6
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat, add the remaining garlic, peppers and onions. Sauté for 2 minutes and add all the meat.
- 7
Sauté everything until the meat becomes golden and crisp, then add the lime juice and pepper.
- 8
Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt if necessary. Mix and cook for a minute.
- 9
Finally add the parsley.
- 10
Remove from the heat and serve hot, preferably with white rice, black beans, ripe fried plantain and lime.