Costillas Guisadas Puerto Rico Recipes

COSTILLAS DE RES (BEEF SHORT RIBS)

Steps:

• Score the ribs by slicing them at 1/4-inch intervals 1 way and then the other across the fatty tops, as if you were setting up a crossword puzzle.
• Remove the seeds and stems from the chiles, soak them in hot water for 20 minutes, drain and place them in a blender jar. Add the oregano, garlic, cumin, vinegar, oil and salt. Blend the mixture for 1 minute. (if the mixture is too thick to blend properly, add a little water and continue). Pour the chile sauce over the ribs and marinate, refrigerated for 2 hours.
• Cook the ribs at 2 to 2 1/2 feet from mesquite coals for 1 to 2 hours or until they are tender. If your barbecue will not accommodate this distance cook the ribs over very low direct heat, or in a Texas style smoker.

CARNE GUISADA (STEWED BEEF)

Steps:

• Prepare the adobo: Combine the adobo ingredients in a small bowl, or blend in a large pilón or mortar and pestle.
• Prepare the guisado: Pat meat dry and put in a medium lidded bowl or a resealable bag. Evenly coat with the adobo and let marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or in the refrigerator overnight.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large lidded, heavy-bottomed pot over high. Working in batches as needed to prevent crowding, add beef, shaking loose any additional adobo beforehand. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, flipping often to brown evenly. Transfer meat to a clean bowl and set aside.
• Lower heat to medium, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and pour in sofrito, adding olive oil as needed if the pan is too dry. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until liquid has evaporated.
• Add sazón and sauté for 1 minute. Add the broth (or water), tomatoes and their juices, and bay leaves, and scrape up any browned bits using a wooden spoon.
• Nestle meat into sauce and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, then cover with a lid and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
• Add carrot and celery, and cook, covered, for 1 more hour, adding more water or broth if needed. At this stage, check the tenderness of the meat. It should start to get close to falling apart when pressed with the back of a spoon.
• Add potatoes and cook, covered, for 30 minutes more, until meat and potatoes are cooked through and tender.
• Adjust salt to taste, and serve on a plate or in a shallow bowl over a mound of white rice.

MY CLASSIC PUERTO RICAN CARNE GUISADA

Steps:

• Heat oil in a skillet over medium to high heat and saute meat on all sides until brown, about 10 minutes. Crush garlic with pepper and oregano in a mortar.
• Pour wine into skillet with beef. Add crushed garlic mixture, sofrito, salt, beef bouillon cube, and bay leaves; stir to combine and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until meat is tender, about 1 hour. If meat is not tender yet, add 1/2 cup of water and continue to cook until meat can easily be pierced with a fork.
• Stir in potatoes, carrots, olives, and tomato paste. Cook on low heat until vegetables are done and sauce thickens, about 20 minutes.