Vaca frita

The vaca frita ("fried cow") is a close cousin of Cuba's famous ropa vieja, stewed shredded beef in tomato sauce. The beef for vaca frita, however, is marinated in lime, garlic and salt, then seared until crispy. The key to achieving the perfect texture is to cook the beef in small batches, so it sautés rather than steams. Vaca frit is also is popular throughout Central America and the Caribbean.

To serve the dish, the meat is sometimes topped with sautéed onions, and it is traditionally served with black beans and rice on the side.