Tropical Beef Stew – Ropa Vieja Panameña

Tropical Beef Stew – Ropa Vieja Panameña

Written by Published on in Tropical Food

This delicacy named Ropa Vieja Panameña, which literally translates into ‘old clothes’ in English, is a common dish in Panama. It is prepared on a regular basis in households and restaurants. The dish includes a spicy shredded beef combination and is usually served with a helping of rice or yucca. It is a mouth-watering and appetizing meal.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb flank steak (London Broil)
  • 1 green paprika
  • 1 red paprika
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 carrot
  • 1/2 can of sweet peas
  • 1 celery twig
  • 4 coriander leaves
  • 2 laurel leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 of a cup of sweet peppers
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • pepper to taste
  • 5 garlic cloves
  • An envelope of Sazon Goya – Coriander & Annatto (Culantro Y Achiote)
  • 3 tablespoons of tomato sauce
  • 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil

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Tropical Beef Stew – Ropa Vieja Panameña
Tropical Beef Stew – Ropa Vieja Panameña
Tropical Beef Stew – Ropa Vieja Panameña

Prep time: 20 min  Total time: 2 hr 40   min.  Servings: 4

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Directions:

Start with 7 cups of water – pour them into a pot. Boil half an onion, a teaspoon of oregano, 2 leaves of laurel, 3 garlic cloves, pepper and half a teaspoon of salt. Add the meat when the water is boiling and let it cook for 2 hours.

Chop the paprika and onion in a julienne cut, the carrot into small squares, and then the celery, coriander and garlic.

Once the 2 hours are up, take the meat out and cool it a little, then remove it. Save the rest of the broth for later.

In a pan with 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat, place two garlic cloves, the onion, the peppers, celery, coriander and carrot. Add 3 tablespoons of tomato sauce, pepper, then the annatto. Sauté everything for 5 minutes and then add the meat you’d set aside. Stir well, add the broth and salt to taste. Let the sweet peppers cook for 15 minutes.

You can accompany this dish with slices of fried plantain and rice.

How to make fried plantains? Slice a ripe plantain. In a pan, with hot oil, fry it on both sides. Once they are golden brown, put them on paper towels to drain excess oil.

Enjoy!

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