Ropa Vieja

Ropa Vieja is a Cuban dish using flank steak. You don't normally make it in a slow cooker so my recipe is definitely not authentic but it was tasty. The beef was very tender and the sauce had some kick to it. I served mine with black beans, rice, and some tortilla. Traditionally there would be plantains as well but I couldn't find any at my grocery store.

 Ingredients
 1 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes
 3 tablespoons ketchup
 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
 2 cloves garlic, minced
 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
 1 jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced (with seeds)
 Kosher salt
 1 1/2 pounds flank steak, cut in half
 2 bell peppers (1 red, 1 green), sliced 1/2 inch thick
 1 small onion, thinly sliced
 3 tablespoons chopped pimiento-stuffed green olives, plus 1 tablespoon brine from the jar
 Cooked white rice, for serving
1 can black beans

 Directions:
1. Combine the tomatoes, ketchup, vinegar, garlic, cumin, jalapeno and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a 5-to-6-quart slow cooker. Add the steak, bell peppers and onion and toss to coat. Cover and cook on low, undisturbed, 6 hours.

2. Uncover and skim off any excess fat. Coarsely shred the meat with 2 forks, then stir in the olives and olive brine. Serve over rice and beans.