When it comes to comforting and homemade food, shredded meat is a recipe prepared in many Latin American countries, known by various names such as “carne desmechada” or “ropa vieja.” The preparation may vary slightly, but the result is always the same: delicious meat with an irresistible sautéed flavor.
In Venezuela, it is served with rice, beans, and ripe fried plantains, known as “pabellón.” It’s also used to fill empanadas and arepas. Personally, when I prepare this recipe, I usually make a double batch and freeze it. I love using it for tacos, fajitas, and flautas due to its versatility and delicious taste.
Ingredients:
1 kg of beef (flank, roast beef, or another meat suitable for shredding)
1/2 red bell pepper
6-8 cups of water (or enough to cover the meat)
1 teaspoon of oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Sofrito:
1 large onion, chopped into small pieces
1 red bell pepper, chopped into small pieces
1 green bell pepper, chopped into small pieces
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1 1/2 cups of beef broth (use the same broth where you cooked the meat)
1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons of ground cumin
2 teaspoons of oregano
1 tablespoon of paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup of olive oil
Instructions:
1. In a pressure cooker, place the meat with half an onion, pepper, bay leaves, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 40 minutes or simmer covered in the oven for approximately 3 hours.
2. In a pan, add olive oil and start with peeled and chopped tomatoes. Cook for 1 minute, then add the onion, chopped peppers, garlic, cumin, oregano, and paprika, sauté until the sofrito sticks a bit to the pan or the vegetables are well caramelized.
3. Once the meat is tender, shred it with two forks and add it to the sofrito.
4. Incorporate the Worcestershire sauce and the cup and a half of beef broth. Mix well and cook, stirring constantly, for 8-10 minutes, depending on whether you prefer the meat more moist or dry.
5. Serve with white rice, fried ripe plantains, and black beans to enjoy an authentic Venezuelan pabellón. Enjoy!
