$10 Meals: Tasty Ropa Vieja

By Harry Pagancoss

Eating a gourmet meal at home for less than $10 is not impossible. I am on the constant lookout for ideas of how to make classics into frugal, lighter meals as well as creating new ones.

For instance, try my delicious version of a Cuban classic, for less than $10 and even feed four of your friends! With the money you save, you can buy more cocktails when out partying or take that trip to the Caribbean you have been wishing for.

Ropa Vieja is one of my favorite Cuban dishes and it is pretty satisfying and full of flavor. My version is light and feeds four people, served over rice. You can make it for your friends or just for you, keeping the leftovers at home for later snacking during the week. You can also freeze it for a week or so.

The ingredients in this Ropa Vieja cost lest than $10. However, they do not take into account basic ingredients such as salt, spices and olive oil, which you should already have at home.

In a cooking pot of 4 quarts, cook meat in water and a little salt for two hours or until meat is tender. Strain the broth into a container and save it. Cool meat.

Chop the red pepper, onion and garlic. In a deep pan, add olive oil and when hot add the onion, peppers and garlic to brown. Add tomato sauce and other seasonings. Add 1½  cups of beef broth.
Shred the beef with a fork or hands. Add into the pot and let simmer for 10 minutes.

Tags cooking, frugal, Harry Pagancoss, Recipes, ropa vieja