Cuban Crispy Shredded Beef Food

CUBAN SHREDDED BEEF (SLOW COOKER)

Steps:

• SEARING THE MEAT: Take the beef chuck roast and using a small paring knife, make 3 small 'x' marks into the meat. Take 3 cloves of garlic and insert them into the 3 'x' marks so that the clove is completely inserted into the thickness of roast. Season both sides of the meat with a pinch of salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet. Add the beef in one piece and fry on each side for 5 minutes, turning only when the exterior is browned. This will splatter a bit but don't cover the pan as the meat will end up steaming rather than searing.
• FOR THE ROPA VIEJA: Chop the remaining 3 cloves of garlic into thin slices and add to the slow cooker along with all the remaining ropa vieja ingredients. I used a 6-quart slow cooker but a 3-quart slow cooker will work too. Cover and let cook on the low setting for 7-8 hours. When the beef falls apart easily when pulled with two forks, it's done. Shred the beef with the forks and give it a stir. Taste for seasonings, season with additional salt and pepper as desired.
• TO SERVE: Serve over a bed of rice with cuban-style black beans on the side topped with additional cilantro and a few lime wedges. You can also use the shredded beef for burritos, breakfast quesadillas, or tacos! The possibilities are endless!

CRISPY SHREDDED BEEF

Steps:

• Beat together eggs, salt and cornflour. Mix in the beef until well coated.
• Heat oil to 180C and deep-fry the beef strips, adding them individually. Leave them ten seconds before stirring, to prevent them sticking together.
• Cook for 6-7 minutes until brown and crispy. Don't overload the pan or they will end up soggy.
• As the beef cooks, remove it and drain on kitchen paper.
• Using a little of the frying oil, stir fry the carrot, onion, garlic and chilli. Add the sugar, vinegar, chilli sauce and soy sauce and mix.
• Add the beef and toss together.