French chef DriceCook (@dricecook) surprised his followers on TikTok with a very Cuban recipe: ropa vieja. In his series "Fléchette & Fourchette: Épisode 80," he throws a dart to randomly select a country, and this time it landed on none other than the island of Cuba, specifically the eastern region.
With a simple touch and a lot of flavor, DriceCook prepared a mouth-watering dish: ropa vieja with white rice, fried plantains, avocado, and a spectacular seasoning.
He used bavette (a cut of meat similar to flank), plantain, cumin, cilantro, paprika, tomato paste, bell pepper, garlic, white wine, water, tomato broth, oregano, bay leaf, rice, oil, salt, pepper, and onion.
The preparation of ropa vieja is perfect, adhering to the techniques of other chefs in Cuba, yet it still captured the attention of Cubans and received criticism.
In the comments, some people nostalgically recalled how, before 1959, this dish was a staple in daily life on the island. Other users mentioned the difficulty of finding beef in Cuba today and the dangers of buying it on the black market.
The climax came when many Cubans pointed out the absence of a key element in the dish prepared by the French chef: "You forgot a classic black bean stew." The chef himself responded amiably: “Aha, thanks brother, I was eagerly awaiting this comment. Beans are a great love story!”.
This video, besides sparking cravings, ignited nostalgia and irony among Cubans who miss those authentic flavors that today seem almost impossible to replicate on the island.
Frequently Asked Questions about the French Chef's Ropa Vieja Recipe and Cuban Cuisine
What ingredients did the French chef DriceCook use to prepare the ropa vieja?
Chef DriceCook used bavette, which is a cut of meat similar to flank steak, plantain, cumin, cilantro, paprika, tomato paste, bell pepper, garlic, white wine, water, tomato broth, oregano, bay leaf, rice, oil, salt, pepper, and onion to prepare his version of ropa vieja.
Why did the Cubans comment that there was an element missing in the recipe from the French chef?
Cubans pointed out the absence of a key element: a classic black bean stew, which is typically served alongside white rice and ropa vieja in traditional Cuban cuisine.
How is nostalgia related to old clothes in Cuba?
Old clothes evoke nostalgia for many Cubans, as before 1959 it was a common dish in the daily diet of the island. Nowadays, due to the scarcity of ingredients like meat, replicating this dish in Cuba is almost impossible, stirring memories and yearning for the past.
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