Tonight we were planning on capitalizing on the low price of the chicken breast tenders again, BUT I happened to be in Super H Mart looking for some veggies for Lottie’s veggie blend pasta sauce, when I saw my dinner! Manager’s Special: 1.12 lbs of Flank steak for $2.23 total! I grabbed it and tried to decide what to do with it. I have been craving Cuban lately, so I decided on an authentic Cuban dish called Vaca Frita. Vaca Frita means, “fried cow”. Can’t really beat that can you? Basically it is shredded, garlicky flank steak cooked in a pan for extra crispiness. It’s quick, easy and tasty. Have a try! Also I had a few Russet Potatoes left from my $2.99 5lb bag, so I decided to use those. Normally, Cuban dishes come with Yuca, but I checked at Super H, and Yuca was not on sale. Potatoes it is. I came across avocados (that were ripe) that were 2/$1.19 so I knew I needed those. Here is what came out of the shopping trip (ALL AT ONE STORE- my favorite way to shop).

Blake and I had this meal at our favorite Cuban spot. I know it sounds intimidating, but it is really simple.

Vaca Frita with Mock Yuca Spears and Avocado Salad

Serves 4

Total price – $5.00 (BEST DEAL YET)

Total price per person -$1.25 Seriously, thank you Super H Mart manager

Total Price without sales- $17.49

Total savings $12.49

Vaca Frita

1 ¼ lb Flank Steak (Super H Mart $2.23 compared to $8.99/lb Publix so $11.24)

2 small sweet onions-one halved and one thinly sliced (Super H Mart $0.99/lb from Kroger $1.99/lb)

1 Bay leaf (BIG LOTS $1.00/bottle includes about 50 leaves)

2 cloves of garlic (Super H Mart $0.99/lb from Publix $2.99/lb)

salt and pepper

¼ cup fresh lime juice (Super H Mart 7/$1.00 or $0.14 each- used 3 from Kroger 2/$1.00)

2 tbps Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Publix Buy one get one free- $5.00 each)

dash of cumin (BIG LOTS $1.00)

Avocado Salad

2 ripe avacados (Super H Mart 2/$1.19 from Publix 2/$3.00)

1 tomato (GARDEN- FREE)

1 tbsp lime juice (Super H Mart 7/$1.00 or $0.14 each from Kroger 2/$1.00)

coarse salt and pepper

I tbsp coarsely chopped cilantro (GARDEN FREE)

Mock Yuca aka Potatoes

2 medium russet potatoes (Publix 5lb bag $2.99 – $0.35 total from Publix normal price of $5.99/lb $0.70 total)

4 roasted garlic cloves (Super H Mart $0.99/lb from Publix $2.99/lb)

1 tbsp olive oil (Publix Buy one get one free- $5.00 each)

In a large sauté pan, add the halved onion, the mean, one bay leave, and salt and pepper. Add enough water to cover the meat. Simmer on medium heat for 20 minutes. Remove the meat from the pan to another working surface to cool. Allow meat to cool and then shred into thin pieces.

Mash 2 cloves of fresh garlic with 2 tsp of coarse salt with a muddle or the flat side of a knife until it becomes a paste. Kneed the garlic paste into the cooled meat along with the olive oil, cumin, and limejuice. Let stand at room temperature for 30-90 minutes

While you are simmering…

Peel potatoes and cut into large spears. Boil until al dente and stain. Coat in olive oil and crusted, roasted (to roast garlic- cut tip of root side of bulb until each garlic clove is exposed a little bit. Coat with olive oil and wrap tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes until fork tender) garlic and keep warm until serving.

Cut tomato (seeded) and avocado into ½ inch cubs and put into a bowl. Add juice of one lime, salt, pepper and cilantro and mix together. Refrigerate until serving.

Thinly slice and caramelize one small onion and keep warm for serving

Then…

Heat a large flat griddle (you can use large sauté pan if you don’t have a griddle) to high heat. Spread the shredded meat into a thin layer on the hot grilled and sprinkle with coarse salt and pepper. Cook over high heat flipping once until crispy coating appears, about 5-7 minutes per batch.  Top with carmaleized onions and serve with a slice of lime. Happy Eating!