Why Ropa Vieja deserves more attention

Ropa Vieja rarely gets the international recognition it deserves. The sweet from caramelised plantain complexity is genuine, not simple, and the technique involved in using sofrito tomato base correctly takes real skill.

paladares are privately owned Cuban restaurants that developed as an alternative to state food service. I encountered it first in a Cuban café abroad and that context helped me understand it properly. Cristal beer is the natural accompaniment and the combination makes the case for the dish. If you haven't explored this cuisine seriously, Ropa Vieja is the dish to start with.