#156 Cuba's Ropa Vieja

I learned today that Cuban Cuisine is a mix of Native America Taino food, Spanish, African and Caribbean Cuisine. Rice, Beans and Meat are omnipresent, soups and stews are commonly prepared. For flavor, they use a lot of citrus fruits, tomato, vinegar, garlic, onions, peppers, capers, olives, white wine or beer.
This dish was delicious. Ropa Vieja means old clothes in Spanish. It is a shredded beef dish simmered in tomato sauce. I made it in the slow cooker and cooked it for more than 4 hours. The result? The meat was falling apart and bursting with flavors! I didn't eat it with yellow rice and fried plantain bananas and beans.. I will make sure to include those items the next time I make it for a more authentic experience.

ROPA VIEJA

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tablespoons organic coconut oil

• 2 pounds grass-fed flank steak

• 2 cups beef broth

• 1 large onion 

• sliced red bell pepper

• 3 cloves garlic

• 1 8 oz. can tomato sauce

• 1 6 oz. can tomato paste

• 1 tsp. ground cumin

• 1 tablespoon organic olive oil

• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

• chopped cilantro and sour cream for garnishing (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Brown beef in heated organic coconut oil. 
2. Transfer beef in a slow cooker and then add the next 10 ingredients. Cook in high for 4 hours.
3.  Serve with rice, friend plaintain bananas, and if you like, sour cream and freshly chopped cilantro.

I love it! Can't wait to make it again!

Below are ingredients I pre-shopped for you, click on each item and it will take you to Amazon.com:

#155 Eggless Tapioca Pudding

I love to eat pudding as a dessert or a savory dish. The word pudding is believed to come from the French word boudin , originally from the Latin botellus, meaning "small sausage". Where did it originate? Nobody really knows where exactly, but the British claim it as part of their culinary heritage. 

I make ahead a couple or jars or two, this helps a lot during my busy week day schedule. It keeps in the fridge for 7 days with no problem! :) 

This is so easy to make. We omitted the eggs, and so this pudding only has 3 ingredients. Ready?

EGGLESS TAPIOCA PUDDING 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 1/4 cup tapioca pearls
• 3/4 cup water
• 2 1/4 cups milk

DIRECTIONS:

1. Soak tapioca pearls for about 30 minutes. Do not drain.
2. Add milk, cook in medium heat until boiling then simmer in lowest heat for 15 minutes, or until done. 
3. Sweeten to taste, or add fruits to sweeten. Enjoy!

Buy your Tapioca Pearls on Amazon.com, just click on the image below:

#154 Moringa Chicken Soup

I was extremely happy when I found Moringa, or commonly known as Malunggay or Kamunggay in the Philipppines,  at the produce section at Seafood City, a Filipino grocery store in Milpitas, California. It's been too long since I had it. I ate Moringa in the Philippines almost every day for the first 27 years of my life. When I moved to California, I didn't think this vegetable that grows into mini trees in warmer climates is available here in the Bay Area! 

I also didn't know how nutritious it was! We always cooked it back home, but I guess in some countries, it is consumed raw as a salad or mixed into a blender creating super healthy drink. It is rich in protein, beta-carotene, vitamin C, potassium and calcium. The leaves tastes somewhat like spinach, but with a stronger flavor. I also found out that Moringa offers healing benefits. Virtually all parts of the plant are used to treat inflammation, infectious disorders, and various problems of the cardiovascular and digestive organs, while improving liver function. I do know that it is used in enhancing milk flow in nursing mothers, so while I was nursing, I consumed a lot of Moringa. The uses of moringa are well documented in both the Ayurvedic and Unani systems of traditional medicine, among the most ancient healing systems in the world. No wonder, every time I was sick, a warm bowl full of Moringa Chicken Soup always helped! Moringa is rich in a variety of health-enhancing compounds, including moringine, moringinine, the potent antioxidants quercetin, kaempferol, rhamnetin, and various polyphenols. The leaves seem to be getting the most market attention, notably for their use in reducing high blood pressure, eliminating water weight, and lowering cholesterol. There are Moringa pills available in the market, I remember seeing an ad online, but I didn't know Moringa is the Malunggay/Kamunggay that I oh so love!

You will want to remove the leaves from the stems, because it remains tough even after it's cooked. Last weekend, my daughter volunteered to do it for me. She had fun, and watching her do it gave me joy, I remember how I loved this same task when I was a child. :) 

My favorite dish to make with Moringa or Malunggay is TINOLANG MANOK or Chicken Soup. It's super easy to make since I use only 3 ingredients in addition to the water and a little bit of salt. The blend of the vegetables and broth was simply delicious. 

TINOLANG MANOK (Chicken Soup with Moringa)

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts, cubed 
• Moringa leaves 
• Chayote, peeled and cubed
• Water

Directions:

1. In a pot, boil water in high heat and then add the salt and the Chicken breasts. Reduce heat and let the chicken cook, about 15 minutes.    
2. Add peeled and sliced chayote. Careful not to overcook.  
3. Turn off heat, add Moringa and cover the pot.  
4. Salt and pepper to taste. Add Chopped Jalapeno peppers for added heat. (optional)

Enjoy! :)