Best Vaca Frita Pan Fried Beef Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

VACA FRITA (PAN-FRIED BEEF)



Vaca Frita (Pan-Fried Beef) image

This is one of my favorite Cuban foods. It reminds me of the countryside. I like this with black bean soup and rice and either platanos maduros (fried ripe plantains) or tostones (fried pressed plantains). You could also serve with black beans and rice cooked together. A spicy Cabernet Sauvignon would go well with this dish.

Provided by fandreu

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Caribbean

Time 1h30m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 large onions
1 (1 1/2-pound) flank steak, cut into 4 pieces
1 green bell pepper, quartered
1 bay leaf
2 cloves garlic, smashed
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons butter
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 lime, cut into wedges

Steps:

  • Cut 1 onion in half and thinly slice the remaining onion. Set aside.
  • Combine flank steak, halved onion, bell pepper, and bay leaf in a large saucepan. Cover with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and let simmer until meat is easily shredded with 2 forks, about 20 minutes. Transfer flank steak to a work surface and let cool, about 10 minutes. Strain beef broth and save for another use. Shred cooled meat using 2 forks and place into a separate bowl.
  • Mix garlic with 1/2 teaspoon salt in another bowl. Apply paste onto the meat, along with lime juice, olive oil, and sliced onion. Let stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to 1 1/2 hours.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add butter. Working in small batches, spread shredded beef in a thin layer into the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook, turning once or twice, until sizzling and crispy, about 7 minutes per batch. Transfer to a platter and serve with lime wedges.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 221.2 calories, Carbohydrate 8.4 g, Cholesterol 38.3 mg, Fat 14.6 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 14.6 g, SaturatedFat 4.5 g, Sodium 267.7 mg, Sugar 3.1 g

VACA FRITA PAN-FRIED SHREDDED BEEF PATTIES



Vaca Frita Pan-Fried Shredded Beef Patties image

Categories     Sauce     Beef     Side     Fry

Yield feeds 6 to 8

Number Of Ingredients 6

The Patties
Ropa Vieja (page 52), made without the Cuban Creole Sauce
1 cup Mojito Marinade (page 164)
Olive oil for frying
The Accoutrement
Black Beans & Rice (page 120)

Steps:

  • Pour the Mojito Marinade into the Ropa Vieja in the pan with the braising liquid, and mix it all up. Let the meat soak up all those good flavors for at least 4 hours.
  • Grab one handful of shredded meat at a time, squeeze out as much of the marinade as you can, and shape the meat into a flattened patty about the size of your palm. Cover the bottom of a large skillet with 1/8 to 1/4 inch of oil, and get it heated up over medium. Add the patties and fry a few at a time in the oil, cooking them til crispy and richly browned on each side. Watch them carefully so they don't burn.
  • Slide the fried patties onto a plate and serve 'em up with Black Beans & Rice.

Related Topics