What makes Venezuelan carne mechada so special? Discover its ingredients and preparation
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Carne mechada is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, snack or main meal. This recipe is inspired by the Venezuelan style of cooking, which is characterized by its simplicity and freshness.
Venezuelan carne esmechada is an absolutely delicious comfort food. It is a very simple meal, which is ideal served over white rice and garnished with caraotas (black beans) and fried sweet plantains that make up the Venezuelan pavilion.
It is ideal for a delicious empanadas and of course the famous arepas with shredded meat.
This delicious Venezuelan-style carne mechada recipe comes with step-by-step instructions and easy-to-follow photos.
This classic Venezuelan dish is the perfect choice for an informal, or even elegant, meal with family and friends. Ideal for a get-together, this hearty dish of tender meat, onions and peppers will warm your soul and leave you wanting more. It is a very popular dish in Spain, Chile, Argentina and of course in the United States.
It gives you a Arepa con Queso?
What is a Carne Mechada or Carne Mechá?
Carne mechada is a delicious dish of tender meat that is grilled and then cooked in a simple tomato and onion sauce. You can serve it with white rice and avocado, a pabellon or in a delicious arepa with carne mechada. Venezuelan carne mechada is tender and has a rich flavor that takes me back to my childhood.
| Main ingredient | Beef |
| Cooking method | Guisada |
| Main feature | Taste and color |
| Type | Traditional venezolana |
| What to eat? | Rice, arepas, empanadas, pabellón |
Ingredients of Venezuelan Carne Mechada
The traditional recipe has one onion, two tomatoes and bell pepper, lots of garlic and a little salt; then water or meat stock is added to make it taste better and it is seasoned with spices.
How to make Carne Mechada?
Want to try a delicacy you may not have tasted before? This Venezuelan-style carne mechada recipe is a traditional favorite dish in South America and is really tasty. This dish is a combination of beef, onion, tomatoes, garlic and spices, you can complement it with everything. Making this recipe will be fun for you, so let's get started!
The first thing is to tell you that it is not prepared in the oven, but you can use a pressure cooker, although it is not essential since it will only take a little longer. This is a homemade recipe that you can make quickly and easily. Below you have the video of how to make Venezuelan carne mechada.
- What is the secret to prepare a delicious carne mechada? It all starts with a good cut of beef, preferably skirt steak.
- Then, you just have to boil the meat in water, onion and garlic until it is soft. We recommend cooking the meat over medium heat for best results.
- Then remove the meat, proceed to grill it with the help of forks or with your hands (if it is cold of course).
- Now you only have to simmer the meat for half an hour with tomatoes, onion, garlic, paprika, garlic and spices.
- That's it. Your spicy carne mechada Venezuelan style is ready to serve.
Learn how to make the Venezuelan Carne Mechada Recipe thanks to this easy recipe from Cocina Fácil SF. We invite you to their youtube channel here.
Venezuelan Carne Mechada Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 kg Veal meat skirt cut
- 1 unit Large red bell pepper
- 1 unit Small green paprika
- 2 unit Onions
- 2 unit Tomatoes
- 1 unit Leek - ajoporro
- 6 tbsp Tomato paste
- 3 unit Garlic cloves
- 1 pizca Salt to taste
- 1 pizca Pepper to taste
- 1 pizca Cumin to taste
Instructions
Sancooking the meat
- The first thing to do is to cook the meat in a pressure cooker, if we have one, or in a normal pot for a little more time. We add enough water, approximately one liter, the important thing is that it covers all the meat. Add a spoonful of salt, bay leaf, garlic and a clove of garlic.
- If we cook in a pressure cooker it will take about 20 minutes to soften, otherwise at least half an hour. It will depend on the meat and its hardness.
- Remove the meat and place on a surface to rest and cool slightly.
- We proceed to grind with our hands or with the help of forks, which makes the work easier and the strips will be thinner.
Preparing the meat
- We start now with the sofrito, placing a frying pan of adequate size on the heat. We add oil of our preference and place the chopped onion and stir. Then add the chopped garlic and a little salt.
- Now add the green and red peppers, mix and then add the spices.
- It is time to add the chopped tomatoes to the stew, stir to mix well. Let it cook for a few minutes.
- Add the marinated meat to integrate with the sofrito.
- Now add the tomato paste, a little of the broth where we cooked the meat and mix to integrate.
- Finally a touch of Worcestershire sauce and let it cook for a few minutes. The meat is ready to serve.
Video
What to accompany Carne mechada with?
This is a very versatile Venezuelan dish, which can be accompanied very well with other foods, among the main ones we have:
- With white rice
- Carne mechá with pasta
- As an ingredient of the Venezuelan pavilion
- As a filling for arepas
- With potatoes
- Patacones with carne esmechada
- With cachapas
- Arepas de pabellón
What meat is Carne mechada made with?
Also called ropa vieja or shredded meat, the ideal meat for its preparation is the cut called cow's brisket.
History of Venezuelan Carne esmechada (pickled meat)
The Spanish, or peninsular, influence is extensive in Venezuelan cuisine. The influence of Amerindian and African cultures have been examples of fusion in Venezuelan cuisine, although their influences are more discreet and subtle.
In Venezuela, carne esmechada is a very popular beef dish, especially in summer. It is an easy meal to make and also very delicious. Typically made with overcooked meat, in this recipe, we will cook it properly so that we can enjoy the flavor of the meat and the spices. Each bite leaves a small explosion of flavor in the mouth that will quickly leave you wanting more.
Remember you can see the recipe for Arepa Cabimera
You can continue to see arepas colombianas, arepas venezolanas or go to quearepas.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What can be served with carne mechada?
Carne mechada can be served with a variety of typical Venezuelan dishes, such as white rice, black beans, fried ripe plantains and arepas. It is also used as a filling in empanadas and pastries.
Can carne mechada be made with meat other than beef?
Yes, although carne mechada is traditionally made with beef, pork or chicken can be used instead. However, the flavor and texture may vary.
Can carne mechada be made in a pressure cooker?
Yes, carne mechada can be made in a pressure cooker to speed up the cooking time. However, some cooks prefer to cook it in a slow cooker so that the meat shreds more easily and absorbs the flavors of the sauce better.
Can larded meat be frozen?
Yes, larded meat can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To thaw, it can be left in the refrigerator for several hours or heated slowly in a pot over low heat.
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