Ropa Vieja (Shredded Beef)

Ingredients

• •2 1/2 pounds flank steak
• •2 tablespoons olive oil
• •3 mild chilies, chopped
• •1 carrot, peeled
• •1 big onion, diced
• •4 big tomatoes, chopped
• •1 onion, peeled
• •2 garlic cloves, minced
• •2 tablespoons tomato paste
• •1 celery stalk
• •1 bell pepper, chopped
• •1 dash cayenne to taste

Directions

1. 1Put the meat in a pot and cover with water. Add the carrot, the peeled onion, and the celery stalk. Boil, then simmer 1 to 2 hours or until the meat is tender. Remove from heat and cool in the liquid. Remove and shred the beef when cool. Reserve stock.
2. 2Heat the oil in a frying pan. Cook the diced onion, garlic, and green pepper about 5 minutes. Add the chilies, tomatoes, and tomato paste, plus 2 cups of the stock. Add cayenne. Cover and simmer 20 minutes. Raise the heat and uncover until sauce thickens some. Pour sauce over beef. Serve hot.