La Nueva Ropa Vieja (Crock Pot)

I found this recipe in our local newspaper. It is an easy crock pot version the Cuban Ropa Vieja which requires several hours of simmering on the stove top. This dish is essentially a stew and will be wonderful served with a side salad, corn muffins or tortillas and rice. NOTE: Sirloin steak or chuck roast can be used instead of the skirt or flank steak called for in the ingredients list. the exact seasonings for the canned diced tomatoes doesn't matter as long as you choose a type that includes garlic. Petite diced tomatoes and no-salt added varieties also work.

• Ready In: 8 hrs 10 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 8  ounces tomato sauce
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 3  bay leaves
• 1  tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 2  tablespoons garlic, minced (bottled)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1  large onion (for about 1 cup slices)
• 2  lbs  skirt steaks (or flank)
• 1  red bell pepper (for about 1 cup pieces)
• 1  green bell pepper (for about 1 cup pieces)
• 14 1⁄2 ounces garlic balsamic & olive oil diced tomatoes
• 2  cups cooked rice (for serving)

Directions

1. Put the tomato sauce, water, bay leaves, vinegar, garlic, cumin, salt and black pepper into the crock pot. Stir to combine.
2. Peel the onion and cut it into quarters. Thinly slice the onion quarters, and add them to the crock pot.
3. Place the beef over the onions, and spoon some of the liquid over the meat. (If ou are using skirt steak or flank steak, there will be several thin pieces, and they will overlap in the pot.).
4. Rinse bell peppers and discard the seeds and membranes.
5. Cut the peppers into quarters, thinly slice them, and add the pieces to the crock pot.
6. Pour the diced tomatoes with their juice evenly on top.
7. Cover the pot and cook on low until the meat is so tender that it practically falls apart, about 8 hours if using skirt or flank steak or 10 hours if using sirloin or chuck.
8. About 20 minutes before serving, cook the rice.
9. Before serving, removed the beef and vegetables from the crock pot to a large serving bowl.
10. Use two forks to pull the beef into shreds. There should be some cooking juices in the bowl, but if not, add about 1/2 cup juices.
11. Stir to mix the beef and vegetables.
12. Season with additional salt and pepper if desired.
13. Serve all but two cups of the beef vegetable mixture over hot rice.
14. Refrigerate leftovers, skim off fat and store in the refrigerator for up to to 3 days or a month in the freezer. Use the leftovers in a beefy tortilla soup.