Anita’s best Venezuelan Shredded Beef with Black Beans and delicious Sweet Plantains(Pabellon Criollo)

Traditional Venezuelan dish made with delicious, shredded beef called “Carne Mechada”, sweet black beans, white rice and fried plantains. You will make this recipe part of your traditional dishes too.

Ingredients for Shredded Beef 

2 lb. Flank steak

6 cups of beef broth

2 Tablespoon olive oil

1 Red bell pepper, small diced

1 large Onion, small diced

4 tomatoes, small diced

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 bay leave

Preparation:

1. Cut flank steaks in 4 pieces and place in a pot filled with 6 cups of beef broth and a bay leave.

2. Cover and cook for about 3 hours at medium heat until steak have softened.

3. Remove from heat, start shredding the steak by using two forks, and set aside.

4. Add olive oil to a pan. Sauté onions, bell pepper, and garlic till softened.

5. Add the beef and mix together. Add salt, pepper, cumin, cinnamon, and pour over one cup of the broth used. Add diced tomatoes.

6. Cook uncovered at low temperature for about 20 minutes, until liquid is reduced.

Ingredients:

Black Beans Ingredients

2 cups black beans pre-washed

5 cups of vegetable broth

1 Red pepper, small diced

1 Onion, small diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cumin

2 teaspoon sugar

Preparation:

1. Place black beans in a large pot filled with the 5 cups of broth and let them boil at medium high heat until simmer. Lower heat and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until beans are tender, creamy and water has reduced and evaporated.

2. Put olive oil in a large pan and add onions, garlic, red pepper. Sate till softened. Add them to the beans.

3. Add salt, pepper, cumin and sugar. Mix all together and let it simmer for about 20 to 25 minutes to absorb all flavors. Serve next to shredded beef, rice and fried plantains. Yummy!!

Traditionally served next to Venezuelan AREPAS (see recipe under my Venezuelan Empanadas) 

Arepas… Yum!