{"id":"ropa_vieja_f4b8971e4b","slug":"ropa-vieja","title":"Ropa Vieja","description":"A classic Cuban shredded beef stew, slow-cooked in a savory tomato-based sauce with vibrant bell peppers, onions, and traditional Latin American spices.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":180,"totalMinutes":200,"activeMinutes":30},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"2 lbs flank steak","name":"Flank Steak","quantity":907,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"lb","form":"whole","notes":"flank steak or brisket","group":"Protein","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"2 tablespoons olive oil","name":"Olive Oil","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"extra virgin","notes":"","group":"Sauté","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 large yellow onion, sliced","name":"Yellow Onion","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"sliced","notes":"large yellow","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips","name":"Red Bell Pepper","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"sliced","notes":"medium","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 green bell pepper, sliced into strips","name":"Green Bell Pepper","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"sliced","notes":"medium","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"4 cloves garlic, minced","name":"Garlic","quantity":4,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"clove","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes","name":"Tomato","quantity":411,"unit":"g","usQuantity":14.5,"usUnit":"oz","form":"crushed","notes":"","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"2 tablespoons tomato paste","name":"Tomato Paste","quantity":30,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"","notes":"","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1/2 cup beef broth","name":"Beef broth","quantity":118,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"low sodium","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"1 teaspoon ground cumin","name":"Cumin","quantity":2,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"Spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"1 teaspoon dried oregano","name":"Oregano","quantity":1,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"dried","notes":"","group":"Spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-12","original":"2 bay leaves","name":"Bay Leaves","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"","group":"Spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-13","original":"Salt and pepper to taste","name":"Pepper","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"","notes":"to taste","group":"Spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-14","original":"Black pepper","name":"Black Pepper","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"ground","notes":"to taste","group":"Spices","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Season the beef with salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the beef until browned on all sides, then remove and set aside.","group":"Cooking","title":"Season the beef with salt and pepper","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion and bell peppers to the same pot. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until they are softened and starting to brown.","group":"Cooking","title":"Reduce the heat to medium","timerMinutes":7,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add the garlic, cumin, and oregano. Sauté for another minute until fragrant.","group":"Cooking","title":"Add the garlic, cumin, and oregano","timerMinutes":1,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Stir in the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and bay leaves. Return the beef and any accumulated juices back to the pot.","group":"Cooking","title":"Stir in the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and bay leaves","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the beef is very tender and falling apart.","group":"Cooking","title":"Bring the liquid","timerMinutes":180,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Remove the beef from the pot and shred it into long thin strips using two forks. Return the shredded beef to the sauce, mix well, and simmer for another 10 minutes uncovered to thicken the sauce if needed.","group":"Finishing","title":"Remove the beef from the pot and shred it","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"Traditionally served with white rice and black beans or fried plantains. For the best texture, ensure you shred the beef with two forks along the grain once it is tender.","cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Cuban"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["braise","simmer","sear"],"equipment":["Dutch oven","Forks"],"diet":["high_protein","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":6,"unit":"servings","note":"Approximately 1.5 cups per serving"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"This dish tastes even better the next day as flavors develop."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat with a splash of water or broth to maintain moisture."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fropa_vieja_f4b8971e4b%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=c82b3d8b-c5df-491f-b3a1-214efc46372b","imageAlt":"Ropa Vieja — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["shredded beef","cuban","stew","protein-packed","slow-cooked"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Ropa Vieja","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-03T23:42:09.424Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-03T23:42:09.424Z","related":[{"id":"acai_na_tigela_138fbec4aa","slug":"acai-na-tigela","title":"Açaí na Tigela","description":"A refreshing and energizing Brazilian breakfast staple made from frozen açaí palm fruit, blended into a thick smoothie-like consistency and topped with granola and fresh fruit.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Brazilian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","dairy_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Facai_na_tigela_138fbec4aa%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=bcea20c0-f124-4011-87e9-4fdfe51cca58","imageAlt":"Açaí na Tigela — recipe cover","tags":["acai","smoothie bowl","healthy","brazilian","fruit","superfood"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":4},{"id":"baleada_9f93ff550d","slug":"baleada","title":"Baleada","description":"A beloved Honduran classic featuring thick, fluffy flour tortillas filled with creamy refried beans, salty cheese, and rich crema. This traditional breakfast is hearty, comforting, and quintessentially Latin American.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Honduran"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbaleada_9f93ff550d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=0ab37045-c4de-4989-88b4-76f3f3ea5d43","imageAlt":"Baleada — recipe cover","tags":["baleada","honduran","beans","breakfast","tortilla","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":6},{"id":"cachapa_2f3970e968","slug":"cachapa-venezuelan-sweet-corn-pancakes","title":"Cachapa (Venezuelan Sweet Corn Pancakes)","description":"Authentic Venezuelan corn pancakes made with fresh corn, sugar, and salt, traditionally served folded over a thick slice of salty white cheese.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Venezuelan"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fcachapa_2f3970e968%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7eab7bcc-59ea-4cd6-baf5-4fba1fe65fdf","imageAlt":"Cachapa (Venezuelan Sweet Corn Pancakes) — recipe cover","tags":["corn","cheese","sweet-savory","traditional","pancakes"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":6}]}