Vaca Frita

Vaca Frita, which translates to "fried cow," is a popular Cuban dish featuring flavorful shredded beef that's fried to a crispy perfection, often served with sautéed onions. This quick and easy recipe is a delicious way to taste authentic Cuban cuisine. Enjoy it traditionally with white rice, ripe avocado, and a fresh garnish of parsley.

Ingredients

🥩 1.5 pounds Flank Steak
🧄 5 Garlic Cloves, minced
🫑 0.5 Green Pepper, cut into large pieces
🍋 2 Limes, juiced (plus wedges for serving)
🫒 2 tablespoons Olive Oil, Brand: Palms (plus a dash for sautéing onions)
🧅 1 Onion (half cut into large pieces for boiling, the other half sliced into rings for frying)
🧂 1 teaspoon Salt
🍬 1 teaspoon Sugar
🌿 1 teaspoon Complete Seasoning
🥑 1 Avocado, sliced for garnish
🌿 A sprig of Parsley for garnish
💧 Water for boiling the meat
🍚 White Rice for serving (cooked separately)

Instructions

1- Pressure Cook the Beef:

• Place 1.5 pounds of flank steak into the Cuisinart electric pressure cooker.
• Add enough water to slightly cover the meat.
• Add half of the green pepper, the large pieces of half an onion, and 1 teaspoon of complete seasoning.
• Set the pressure cooker to high pressure for 25 minutes; add 5 more minutes if needed for tenderness.
• After cooking, remove the beef and set aside to cool. Discard the cooking liquid and vegetables.

2- Shred the Beef:

• Once the beef is cool enough to handle, shred it using two forks or by hand.

3- Marinate the Beef:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the minced garlic with the juice of 2 limes.
• Pour the garlic-lime mixture over the shredded beef and mix thoroughly to coat the meat. Let it marinate for about 30 minutes.

4- Fry the Beef:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
• Add the marinated shredded beef and fry, stirring frequently with tongs, until it reaches your desired level of crispiness.

5- Caramelize the Onions:

• In a small frying pan, heat a dash of olive oil over medium heat.
• Add the remaining half of the onion, sliced into rings.
• Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of sugar over the onions and sauté until caramelized and softened.

6- Combine and Serve:

• Once the onions are ready, mix them with the fried beef in the large pan.
• Serve hot with white rice, sliced avocado, and a sprig of parsley for garnish.

Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 35-45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Equipment:

• Cuisinart Electric Pressure Cooker
• Tongs
• Forks (for shredding meat)
• Breville Cutting Board
• Measuring Cups
• Small Bowls
• Mixing Bowl
• Large Frying Pan (non-stick, light blue in color)
• Small Frying Pan (non-stick, silver in color)
• Electric Stove
• Palms Oil Dispenser Bottle
• Salt and Pepper Shakers

Cooking Tips

• Shred the beef into smaller pieces for easier consumption.
• Ensure the beef marinates in the garlic-lime mixture before frying for optimal flavor absorption.
• Fry the meat to your preferred level of crispiness.

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Vaca Frita