Best Uruguayan Guiso Recipes

BEEF GUISO

Steps:

• Brown beef and potatoes in a large skillet. Add tomatoes, onions and bell peppers and cook until all are fully cooked, about 10 minutes. Add broth, Salsa Verde, tomato sauce, garlic, black pepper and cumin, then add salt to taste. Let simmer for 20 minutes.
• Add tomatillos, onions, serrano and 2 cups water to a saucepot. Bring to a boil and cook until all vegetables are cooked, about 15 minutes. Place mixture in a blender, then add fresh cilantro and salt and blend well.

ROPA VIEJA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Pat the flank steak completely dry with a paper towel. Cut in half or thirds (across the grain) if needed to fit into your pot in a single layer. Season with 2 teaspoons salt.
• Heat the olive oil in a medium Dutch oven or a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches if necessary, add the steak in a single layer and cook until a deep brown crust develops, 5 to 8 minutes on each side. Remove to a plate and set aside.
• Add the onions and peppers to the same pot. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and a few cracks black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin and oregano; stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until it starts to develop color, about 1 minute. Add the vino seco to deglaze and cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. Add the tomato sauce, beef stock and bay leaf. Stir to incorporate. Nestle the steak in the sauce, submerging it slightly. Be sure to add any accumulated juices from the plate.
• Cover and cook in the oven until the meat shreds easily with two forks, about 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Transfer the pot back to the stovetop. Remove the steak to a cutting board or medium bowl and shred into long thin pieces using two forks. Meanwhile, simmer the sauce over low heat until slightly reduced, about 3 minutes. Return the steak to the pot and stir to combine. Add the lime juice and olives, capers or pimientos, if using.
• Serve with white rice and black beans.

GUISO

Steps:

• In a large skillet heat the oil and butter. Add the onions and garlic, saute until browned.
• Add the cubed meat to the mixture and brown well on all sides. Stir in the tomatoes, carrots and beef broth to cover the meat. Season with salt and pepper, cover, and cook over low heat for 15 minutes.
• Uncover skillet, add the potatoes, squash, and corn cooking over low heat until vegetables are almost fork tender. Stir in fruit and rice, cook until rice is tender. Check seasonings and garnish with parsley or basil. Serve immediately.