Carne Mechada – Shredded Beef

This is a Venezuelan favorite.  It is usually eaten for breakfast with arepas:

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef (sirloin or skirt – skirt shreads easier! – I cannot buy in Germany, but if I could I would prefer it)
• 2 peppers – chopped
• 2 onions- chopped
• 3 garlic cloves – pressed
• 1/2 cup tomato puree
• 2 carrots
• 1 stalk celery
• 1 Tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cumin (in Germany, buy it at the Asia Markt – do not use german cumin)
• Pepper to taste

Extras:

• Arepas

Directions:

1. Boil the beef for 2 hours.  Add salt, peeled carrots and celery, and continue boiling for at least another 2 hours.
2. Let cool, and then shred the beef using 2 forks or with your fingers – I prefer the fork method:
3. Make a “Sofrito”:  Fry the onions, peppers and garlic for about 15 minutes at medium heat.
4. Add the shredded beef to the pan, and then add the broth you boiled the beef in.
5. Add the tomato puree and the cumin, and cook until the broth has reduced.
6. Taste for salt and pepper.
7. Fill your arepas with carne mechada, or eat with rice and black beans.