{"id":"vaca_frita_d521a6a1be","slug":"vaca-frita","title":"Vaca Frita","description":"A traditional Cuban dish of shredded flank steak pan-fried with onions, garlic, and lime until it's perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":120,"totalMinutes":140,"activeMinutes":30},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1 kg (2.2 lbs) flank steak","name":"Flank Steak","quantity":1,"unit":"kg","usQuantity":2.2,"usUnit":"lb","form":"flank steak","notes":"trimmed of excess fat","group":"Beef Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"2 liters of water","name":"Water","quantity":2,"unit":"l","usQuantity":2.1,"usUnit":"quart","form":"","notes":"","group":"Beef Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"2 bay leaves","name":"Bay Leaves","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"","group":"Beef Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"4 cloves of garlic, minced","name":"Garlic","quantity":4,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"clove","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"Marinade","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1/4 cup lime juice","name":"Lime juice","quantity":60,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"freshly squeezed","notes":"","group":"Marinade","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 large onion, sliced into rings","name":"Onion","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"sliced into rings","notes":"large white or yellow onion","group":"Frying","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"4 tablespoons olive oil","name":"Olive Oil","quantity":60,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"","group":"Frying","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"Salt to taste","name":"Salt","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"","notes":"to taste","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"Black pepper to taste","name":"Black Pepper","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"ground","notes":"to taste","group":"Seasoning","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a large pot, combine the flank steak, water, and bay leaves. Add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the meat is tender enough to shred, about 90 to 120 minutes.","group":"Cook the Beef","title":"Combine the flank steak, water, and bay leaves","timerMinutes":105,"sourceTitle":"Cook the Beef"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Remove the beef from the pot and let it cool slightly. Shred the beef into long thin strips using your fingers or two forks.","group":"Prep the Beef","title":"Remove the beef from the pot and let it cool slightly","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Prep the Beef"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"In a bowl, toss the shredded beef with the minced garlic, lime juice, salt, and black pepper. Let it marinate for at least 20 minutes.","group":"Marinate","title":"Toss the shredded beef","timerMinutes":20,"sourceTitle":"Marinate"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the beef in a single layer and fry without stirring until the bottom is crispy and browned. Flip and fry the other side.","group":"Crisp the Beef","title":"Heat olive oil in a large skillet","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Crisp the Beef"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Add the onion rings to the skillet and cook along with the beef until the onions are translucent and slightly charred. Serve immediately.","group":"Finish","title":"Add the onion rings","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finish"}],"notes":"For the best results, ensure the beef is as dry as possible before frying to achieve that signature crispiness. Traditionally served with white rice and black beans.","cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Cuban"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["boil","saute","sear"],"equipment":["large pot","large skillet","mixing bowl","forks"],"diet":["gluten_free","dairy_free","high_protein","paleo","low_carb"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":4,"unit":"servings","note":"Approximately 150g of cooked beef per serving"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The beef can be boiled and shredded up to 2 days in advance and kept in the fridge. Fry it just before serving to ensure maximum crispiness."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheating in a pan is recommended to maintain texture.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat in a dry skillet over medium heat to restore crispiness; avoid microwave if possible."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fvaca_frita_d521a6a1be%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=134edbed-8f3c-4adc-92a1-3dbbc4d992b7","imageAlt":"Vaca Frita — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["crispy","beef","cuban","pan-fried","latin-american","high-protein","shredded-beef"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Vaca Frita","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-03T23:47:25.869Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-03T23:47:25.869Z","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}]}