Cuban Braised Beef and Peppers

I found this recipe a few months ago and have been meaning to make it ever since. The website I found this recipe at is http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/slow-cooker-cuban-braised-beef-and-peppers-recipe-00000000025237/index.html. I absolutely love slow cooker recipes because after a long day at work, it's great to come home and dinner is pretty much done. Also, it means I don't have to use my stove or oven, which makes the house hot. With it being summer, my slow cooker gets used a lot.

This recipe is very versatile because I think you could use boneless skinless chicken breasts or a boneless pork tenderloin in place of beef. You just have to modify the cooking times. The chicken would take less time and the pork tenderloin would probably be about the same amount of time, as long as it was a bigger tenderloin.

I heated some brown rice in the rice cooker just before this was done and everything came out perfectly.

Cuban Braised Beef and Peppers
Serves 4-6

Ingredients:
28 ounce can of diced tomatoes, drained
1 red bell pepper - cut in thin strips
1 green bell pepper - cut in thin strips
1 large red onion - cut into 8 wedges
2 teaspoons McCormick dried Oregano
2 teaspoons McCormick ground Cumin
Black pepper for seasoning
1.5 pounds flank steak - cut into 3 smaller pieces
suggested toppings: avocado, sour cream, fresh chopped cilantro, lime wedges, mexican shredded cheese
Rice - brown, white, or jasmine will work (cook according to directions on rice bag)

Directions:
-In a large crockpot, add tomatoes, peppers, onion, oregano, cumin, and pepper. Stir together to blend well.
-Add the beef on top of the tomato mixture
-Cover and cook 7-8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high (recommend slow and low heat)
-Beef will be fork tender and easily shred when it is completely cooked
-Shred all beef and combine well with the juices and tomato mixture before serving.
-In a bowl or on a plate, add some rice.
-Add your beef and pepper mixture on top of your rice and add any toppings you desire.

See...I told you this recipe is very easy. Minimal effort in getting it ready and tons of flavor to enjoy when its finished. YUM!