Meat lovers will savor this recipe from JR’s Old Packinghouse Café, where JR Garraus slow-cooks some tender dishes. Try this in your home crockpot or head to the Sarasota restaurant. 

Ropa Vieja

Ingredients: 2 pounds top round beef; 2 Tbsp. olive oil; 2 onions, chopped; 2 colored peppers, chopped; 2 Tbsp. garlic, diced; 1 Tbsp. cumin; 1 bay leaf; 1 6-oz. can diced tomato; 1 small can tomato paste; 1 cup saved beef cooking liquid (broth); 1 cup beef base; 1 tsp. complete seasoning; 1 cup dry white wine; 1 bunch cilantro- chopped (for garnish).

Place top round in crock pot.  Cover with water. Cook until tender, approx. 4-6 hours.  Shred cooked  beef. Save 1 cup cooking liquid.  Set aside. 

Place olive oil in dutch oven over med. high heat.  Add onion and pepper.  Cook until soft.  Add garlic, bay leaf, cumin, diced tomato and tomato paste. 

Mix well.  Add beef, cooking liquid and remaining ingredients.  Bring to a simmer and let cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Garnish with cilantro and serve with black beans, rice and garlic toast.

JR’s Old Packinghouse Café