Zarela Martinezs Ropa Vieja Recipes

SHREDDED FLANK STEAK AND ANAHEIM CHILE STEW (ROPA VIEJA)

Steps:

• Place the flank steak in a large deep saucepan or Dutch oven with 6 unpeeled garlic cloves, the unpeeled white onion, peppercorns, and season with salt. Add cold water to barely cover and bring to a simmer over low heat. Cook covered, until the meat is tender, about 1½ hours.
• Remove from the heat and let the meat cool in its own broth. When cool enough to handle, shred the meat into long strings with your fingers or with two forks. Strain the broth, return the shredded meat and strained broth to the saucepan.
• Heat the lard or vegetable oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat until rippling. Crush the remaining garlic cloves with the flat of a knife blade, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the sliced white onion and cook, stirring often, until somewhat softened and transparent, about 2-3 minutes. Add the chiles, and cook, stirring occasionally for 2 minutes.
• Add the onion-chile mixture to the shredded meat along with the cumin and Maggi sauce and bring to a boil. Cook over medium-low heat until the meat is heated through and the flavors are blended.

ZARELA MARTINEZ'S ROPA VIEJA

Steps:

• Cut the flank steak in half horizontally so it will fit into a large Dutch oven. Place it in the pot and cover it with the water. Add the six whole cloves of garlic, along with the peppercorns and salt as desired. Place over low heat and bring the liquid to a simmer. Cover the Dutch oven and continue cooking over low heat, turning the meat occasionally, until it is tender and well done, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• While the meat is stewing, heat the broiler. Rinse and dry the peppers. Arrange them in a broiler pan about four inches from the flame. Roast them, turning frequently, until they are evenly blistered and charred on all sides. Transfer to a paper bag, seal it and let the peppers sit until cool enough to handle.
• Remove the cooled peppers from the bag and slice off the top of each. Scrape out the seeds and slip off the skins with your fingers (wear rubber gloves if your hands are sensitive). Slice each pepper lengthwise into strips an eighth of an inch wide. Set aside.
• When the meat is tender, remove the Dutch oven from the heat and let the meat cool in its own broth. When it cools enough to handle, remove it from the broth and place it on a cutting board. Slice the meat across the grain into strips about two inches across. Using your fingers, pull the meat into fine shreds. Return it to the cooking broth.
• Heat the lard or other fat in a large heavy skillet over medium heat until it is rippling. Crush the sliced garlic cloves and add to the hot fat. Saute for one minute, stirring frequently. Add the sliced onion and saute, stirring frequently, until it is somewhat soft, about three minutes. Add the reserved pepper strips to the pan and continue sauteing and stirring for about two minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer the peppers, onion and garlic to the Dutch oven. Cook the meat mixture, uncovered, over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the flavors are blended, about 10 to 15 minutes. Serve the meat hot, rolled up in heated flour tortillas.

SALMON IN PASTRY WITH CHAMPAGNE SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small, deep bowl, blend together the butter, tarragon, a half teaspoon of salt, four grinds of the pepper mill and the lemon juice.
• Cut the salmon into four serving pieces. Using a sharp knife, cut a pocket into the side of each piece, trying to make the cut as deep as possible without cutting through the other side. Divide the tarragon butter into four portions and stuff into the fish.
• Roll out the puff pastry to a thickness of about an eighth of an inch. Divide into four squares and brush lightly with cold water. Lay each piece of fish on top and roll the pastry over to cover, pressing down to seal, then trim away the excess. Arrange on an ungreased baking sheet with a rim and brush the pastry with the beaten egg. Chill at least half an hour.
• Heat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Start the sauce by combining the stock, Champagne, shallots and mushrooms in a saucepan. Cook until the liquid is reduced by half. Add a half cup of the cream and cook until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Strain, then keep warm. Whisk the remaining cream in a deep bowl until it starts to thicken.
• Bake the salmon for 12 minutes or until the pastry is lightly browned. Transfer each packet to a warm serving plate and slice into four or five pieces on a slight diagonal. Add the fines herbes to the sauce, whisk in the whipped cream and spoon alongside the packets.