Ropa vieja

By polloazul

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 lbs flank steak (frozen or defrosted), cut in half if necessary to fit into the cooker
• 1 14-oz can Ro*Tel
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp Mexican oregano
• 3/4 cup of your favorite salsa

Details

Servings 6

Preparation

Step 1

In a 4-quart slow cooker, place the meat, Ro*Tel, onion, chili powder, cumin and Mexican oregano. Cook on HIGH for 3 hours or on LOW for 6 hours, until the meat practically falls apart when you lift it.

Remove the meat and, when it's cool enough to handle, cut across the grain into 3-inch chunks. With a fork (or with your impeccably clean hands, as Julia Child would have said), shred the meat, and return it to the slow cooker. Stir in the salsa.

Leave the lid ajar, and turn the heat to HIGH. Cook for 30 minutes, until most of the liquid has cooked out.

Remove ropa vieja from the slow cooker and use for quesadillas, burritos, or a topping with rice or beans. As with many stews, ropa tastes better on the second day, and it freezes well.